TENT AND THRONE ! 

PS 635 ^. iQ X"^ 

.Z9 . ^ 

W76173 A Eomantic Play, 

Copy 1 



LV FIVE ACTS, 



JOHN G. WILSON. 



NOTE. — This work is printed solclv for the author'' s private use. 
Under the decisions of the courts which establish that such printing 
does not constitute publication, all rights are strictly reserved; and 
any infringement upon the title, dialogue, situations, scenic effects, or 
se(]uence of incidents will be prosecuted to the extent of the law. 



Entered according to Act of C;on<;ress. in the year 18T9, by John G. Wilt-on, in 
^ the office of the Li!)rarian of C'onirrees, at Washlni^ton. 



G. G. McCosh, Printei; Monmouth, III. 



/ 



1 



TENT AND THRONE ! 



A Romantic Play, 



hV FIVE ACTS, 



/ 



-■■ \ 



JOHN G. WILSON. 



A'OTE. — This 7vork is printed solely for the autJior^s private use. 
Under the decisions of the courts which establish that such printing 
does not constitute publication, all rights are strictly reserved ; and 
any infringement upon the title ^ dialogue^ situations^ scenic effects or 
sequence of incidents leill he prosecuted to the extent of the law. 






Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 18T9. by John Q. Wilson, in 
the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. 



G. G. McCosh, Trinter, Monmouth, III. 



ri Sn, 



(7^ 



< o"*- 



«v 



^MP92-007473 



CHARACTERS. 



RICHARD C(EUR-DE-LION. 

THE PRINCE JOHN. 

LEOPOLD OF AUSTRIA. 

SIR BALDWIN DE BETHUNE. 

SIR WALTER DE /.' ESTAING. 

BLOND EL. 

EDWARD. 

ROGER. 

FIRST A USTRIAN OFFICER. 

SECOND A USTRIAN OFFICER. 

WA TCHMAN. 

BERENGARIA. 

GRETCHEN 

LANDLADY. 

U/uSShWGERS, SOLDIERS, LADIES IN WAITING, ETC., ETC. 






m 



TENT ANDTHRONE. 

ACT I. 

MESSINA. 

SCENE. — K, Walls of 3Iessma^ with gate in centre, extending diagonally 
from first groove half way up stage — where sea commences and stretches 
to flat ^ ivhich represents horizon. Tent projects from l. 2 e., practicable 
ivith royal flag flown from a. Q,., in front of sea^ landing composed of 
four broad steps. An English flag is conspicuously planted on wall to 
R . , of gates . 

TIME.— Daybreak. 

Discovered — Edward and Roger keeping watch by the tent . 

Edw. It is a marvellous good law, friend Roger, that all things in 
this world have an ending — else keeping watch o' nights would be worse 
than going to the Saracen's perdition. 

RoG. {Grutfiy) Hm ! Hm ! 

Edw. {Mimicking him) Hm! Hm I Thy mother must have been a 
talkative woman, comrade. 

RoG. {Chuckling) My mother was the best churner in Kent. 

Edw. Nay, that explains it all — her children being brought up with 
the cows, learned to chew and ruminate, but not to loosen their tono-ues. 
{Roger laughs). Laugh away, comrade — laughter is better than speech, 
though it be at the expense of thy own mother. 

RoG. I laugh not at my mother. 

Edw. I will wager she hath often laughed at thee. 

RoG. Hm ! 

Edw. And with good cause too !— 

ROG. Pish ! pish ! — 

Edw. For a more unsociable, gruesome, duller-witted fellow — (Roger 
takes a bottle from his pocket and proceeds to uncork it) but an honest fel- 
low is often hid under a rough skin. 

RoG. {Drinking) Eh? 

Edw. a good heart goes with a blunt tongue, {shivering) Comrade, it 
is as cold as if we were in Scotland. (Roger smacks his lips and corks 
the bottle) As I am thy friend I will share thy bottle. 

ROG. Friend? Hm ! Hm ! 



TENT AND THRaNE. 4 

Edw. Yes— friend ! — none but a friend would ask to share thy bottle. 
Friendship must have something to live on, comrade — because I am thy 
friend I will drink thy liquor. 

ROG. If it would close thy mouth awhile — 

Edw. I will keep silent a full ten minutes. (Takes bottle and drinks- 
pats it) Ihere is more joy and more grief, in a bottle of good liquor, 
than in a King's palace — for if you drink but enough, you can think 
yourself an emperor, and if you guzzle too much you get kicked like a 
dog for your pains. Ah me ! I wish these wars were well over, and I 
with some snug little wife keeping a tavern at Cheapside — but attention ! 
— comrade ! — (Puts bottle in his pocket) I hear footsteps — 
ROG. My bottle !— 

Edw. Nay, it might get so sober a man into trouble to be found on 
watch with a bottle. 
Efiter Sir Baldwi:n ue Bethune and Sir Walter de l'Estaixg, l. 

RoG. (In loiv voice — to Edward) Come now I (ETtwAni-) takes a sly 'Iri/tk) 
Sir Bald. (Pointing to the flag on the n-alls) 
It grows to morning and the flag still floats; 
Messina sleeps as quiet beneath its folds 
As though the lions, with their lifted paws. 
Were her own watch-dogs. 

(Through the following conversation Edward frequenfh/ drinks — shoiring 
bottle each time to Roger . ) 

Sir Wal. If the duke should bear 
This insult — 

Sir Bald. He will not — sooner the sea 
Would smooth her folds before the northern blast 
Than Leopold brook this . 

Sir Wal. It is then true 

That Leopold loves Berengaria ? 

Sir Bald. It is — and he would gladly find a cause 
To break with Richard — Richard laughs at him 
Mocks him, outshines him in all deeds of arms, 
Is King where he is duke and — 
(Edward, having emptied the bottle sticks it into Roger's pocket. Sir 

Baldwin sees H.) 
Hallo there ! what does this mean ? 

ROG. 'Tis empty. 

Sir Bald. Hast thou not heard the King's edict against robbing and 
pillaging? We shall have to hang a few of you rascals to cure you of 
the habit. 

ROG. (Pointing !■() Edward) He drank the half of it. 

Edw. Now is that good fellowship ? But I trust there's no question of 
hanging about a poor small bottle of liquor. 

Sir Bald. Give me the bottle. (^Puts the bottle to his mouth and turns 
it up) It is as empty as Richard's purse — greedy knaves ! — to drink all on 
so cold a morning. 

Edw. King Richard will soon give us a chance to fill it again, I trust; 
broken heads and full bottles are always to be found in his service. 

Sir Wal. [Shading his eyes and looking out to sea, l) 
My lord, I fancy I can see a sail 
Blowing toward Messina. 



TENT AND THRONE. 5 

Sir Bald. Well, thy eyes 

Are younger by some forty years than mine- 
But, {looking out) by the cross, I see it too — now ends 
Our long suspense — for once the princess here 
Hichard will start for Palestine — But hark ! 

{Trumpets bloic from the town) 

The trumpets of the Austrian — Perchance 
He comes to look upon the flag himself. 

Unter l. , (jentlemen of the English camp . 
Good morrow, gentlemen; the King still sleeps — 

{Pointing to sea L.) 
But see the ship that hails this way, and brings 
An end to our long waiting. 

Edw. {To Roger) Dost thou hear 

Old surliness I 

Roc4. A fig for all the princesses I 
. Edw. Be not unreasonable, man — princesses mean weddings, and 
wedding feasts — and I love a good feast above all things. 
Trumpets h/orr from the town — enter from gates, R , seneral ArsTRiAN 
Gentlemen. 
First Ai';*. Baldwin de Bethune — 

Sir Bald. Greeting to you, sir. 

First Aus. I pray thee lead me to the King. 
Sir Bald. The King 

Still sleeps. 

First Aus. My master's cause is urgent, sir, 
And cannot stand on ceremony — pray 
Let the King know that Leopold of Austria 
Sends me on pressing business 
Sir Bald. Nay, sir— nay— 
I'll not stir Richard for a score of dukes — 
lie is no sluggard — when the sun is up 
He too will rise, till then, sirs, lack-a-day, 
I fear that you must wait his Royal pleasure. 

First Aus. " Like man like dog" — your P^nglish proverb holds, 
Sir Baldwin. 

Sir Bald. And my English lance holds loo ; 
If you should care to test it sir, I am 
Most humbly at your service. 

StrWal. Nay, Sir Baldwin, 

The gentleman acts as ambassador. 

Sir Bald. True, true^ — well sir, your business — we can bear 
Your message to the King, if you'll not wait. 

First Aus. Briefly then — Leopold of Austria sends 
To Richai'd and demands that Richard's flag 
Be taken from Messina's walls — because 
Leopold makes his camp within the town, 

Richard without it — each is sovereign ) 

Of his own camp — to place the English flag 
On Austrian walls insults the duke — therefore 
He does demand of you its swift removal. 

Sir Bald. Nay, sir — King Richard placed it there himself— 
With no thought of the duke though- -but because 
The townspeople, who dwell in the Aitstrian camps, 
Grew turbulent — refused to sell us meat. 
To furnish us with water, hay and straw — 



TENT AND THRONE. 6 

Assailed "the peaceful agents whom we sent — 
Hustled them out of the gates — till Kichard flew 
Into a furious rage, and charged the crowd, 
Driving them back like sheep — then on the walls 
He set his flag — with no thought of the duke, 
For certainly the duke could have no hand 
In such ungracious conduct to his friend. 

First Aus. Of all your townsfolk quarrels I know naught, 
I have my master's orders — will you take 
The flag away ? 
Sir Bald. It is the King' s attair . 
First Aus. (To the other Austriam— pointing to the flag) 
Then tear it down — [To Sir Baldwin) 

You force me to this — 

The opening of the tent is suddenly thrown aside — Richard appears nd- 

• vanc.es a step or tiro and leans on his two-handed sword. 
KiCHARD. Halt ! 

Who says tear down my flag ? {All keep silence) 

Lay but a hand 
On yonder banner, and I promise you 
That blood shall run to color me another — 
What ? Leopold tear down my flag ? — forsooth ! 
Tliese Austrians grow great, {Advances c F. ) 
First Aus. Sire, I have come — 

Rich. I heard you, sir — I heard you — get you back ; 
Sii}^ to the duke that Richard sets his flag 
Where the whim seizes him! 
First Aus. Sire — 

Rich. No more sir — go I — 

Exeunt Austrians by gates to r. Richard walks to r. f. Edward and 
Roger remain by the tent. English Gentlemen l. f. Sir Baldwin 
and Sir Walter c. l<>ok joyously out to sea l. It grows to broad 
daylight. 
Rich. I trust my lords that you enjoy your mirth ; 
Laugh you at Leopold or me ? 

Sir Bald. Nay , sire, 

We laugh to see yon ship that cleaves the waves 

Toward Messina. (Richard runs to c. — looks out to sea — shading his eyes) 
• Rich. Now the saints be praised ! 

Sweet Berengaria cometh with the dawn ; 
An omen full of promise . 

Sir Wal. " Truly, sire, 

Your princess must be passing fair to merit 
Such long delay — your love is most devoted. 

Rich. Fair? — She is rosier than the kindling morn, 
As lithe and lissome sis the fleet-foot roe — 
And for her face — a broad white brow, that wears 
A crown of lustrous hair — a mouth so curved, 
That dimples play on either side, and lurk 
In the round chin — a nose not long nor short, 
Nor yet too thin, but of a royal grace — 
And eyes that lure you with their long sweet gaze 
Beneath tine lashes. 

Sir Bald. Truly, sire, no wonder 

That Leopold harbors a grudge against you. 



tp:nt and thronk. t 

Rich. She comes I She comes I 
Faint music A skip sails in from l., and moors c., behind the landiny. 
Bebengaria appears on deck with ladies in waiting. Richard runs up 
lite steps of the landimj and escorts Berengaria doicn them — kneels and 
kisses her hand. The ladies folloic — sailors are .'ieen on the ship. 
Rich. Ah, cousin — welcome I welcome ! (rises) 

I and my army wait for thee, my love. 

Ber. Dear sire, the winds were strong against us. 
Rich. Ves— 

I know ; but wind nor wave could part us long. 
Baldwin, call Blondel here, while I may sit 
And feast my eyes upon my lady's ftice. 

Exit Sir Baldwin l. Servaiits throic a scarlet tapestri/ over the scats of the 
landiny. Berengaria sits on the third step — Richard on the second 
R., enter Sir Baldwin and Blondel tcitli late. 
Rich. Dear love — the sweetest minstrel of the world, 
Blondel de Nesle — sing to us Blondel — ah ! — 
Blon. (Stnys, accompanied by late) 

When the west wind blows, 
And the red, red rose 

Loseth her petals one by one — 
And the wan stream flows 
Where no flower grows, 

Far from the moonlight and the sun. 
Then I kiss my love. 
And her silken glove 

Fix in my helm and ride away — 
And the brooding dove 
Cooetli soft above, 

Thrilling with grief the distance gi'ay. 
But the skies will change. 
And the level range 

Buries not always sun and moon — 
In my lady's grange 
I shall ne'er be strange — 

Watching she waits from night to noon. 

Ku'IIArd makes a siytial of dismissal. Exeunt all but Richard and 
Berengaria, l. Richard hums last line of the sony. 

Rich. Sweet cousin, I have waited here for thee, 
Patient and true as Blondel" s lady-love. 

Ber Sire — 

Rich. Nay, forget love, that 1 am a King. 

Ber. My Richard ! I have dreamed of thee so long 
It seems not strange to be with thee — and yet — 

Rich. And yet? 

Ber. And yet — I cannot think it true. 

Rich. Nay, love, 'tis very true — here is Messina, 
Yonder the English army — there the fleet — 
And in the town duke Leopold — 

Ber. {Starting) He here?— 



TENT AND THRONE. 

Rich. Why, how you start, love, at his very name. 
Tell me, my Berensraria, is it true 
That Leopold paid suit to thee ? 

Bek. Indeed 

He made most violent love . 

Rich. Ah ha .' the duke 

Hath cause indeed to hate me — were I he 
I'd mope as sullen as an owl by day, 
And croak all night like some disgruntled toad. 
To lose thee ? — why 'twere better far to lose 
A score of battles. (Rises) 

Cousin, tell me now, 
Wilt thou with glad heart be |^oldier's bride ? 
March in the morning at the beat of drum ? 
Toil on through wastes and sands and burning plains, 
Till sunset bid the weary host to camp ? — 
And then instead of downy bed, thou'lt lie 
Beneath some windy tent — no perfumed lamps 
To make a dim, sweet light for drowsy eyes; 
But flaring watch-fires reddening the fields, 
Or smouldering embers of some ruined town — 
And all night long the cries of sentinels 
To trouble sleep — and overhead the stars ! 

Ber. Ah Ptichard ! I can brave it all for thee — 
Have I not sailed far from my father's home 
To meet thee in this distant, stranger isle? 

Rich. (WaUcs up and down excited/?/) 
And when thou sittest in thy sheltered tent. 
Helpless and weak — and round thee rolls the roar 
Of battle— while the gray wing' d arrows whizz, 
And swords and lances clash with clamorous shock — 
And I far from thee — doing, daring all ! 
Drunken with tight — forgetting all but war — 
For when the battle rages I am lost 
To all but battle — Canst thou meekly sit 
Nor shed too many tears, nor swoon with fright, 
But bravely wait the combat's end and sing 
A song of triumph when thy lord returns 
Victorious? — for so must Richard's bride. 

Ber. Yes — sire ! and when by luckless chance defeat — 

Rich. Defeat?— whene'er that sombre day shall dawn 
'Twill be my last — I cannot brook defeat; 
But cheer thee, love — there's no defeat for us. 
We wage war in a holy cause — the pope 
Hath bless' d us, and the Holy Sepulchre 
Shall be our own, and Christendom made glad — 
But am I not a most ungracious wooer ? 
Love should not heed of wars or politics. 
But, cousin dear, our Kingship brings it's cares, 
I cannot make ihy life the pretty poem 
1 would if I were some gay troubadour 
Like Blor.del. [Trumpets blow from the totrn.) 

Ber. Hark ! the trumpets from the town. 



TENT AND THRONE. 9 

Rich. Leopold comes to tear down Richard's flag — 
He'll find the task a rough one — {calls) 

Gentlemen ! 
Enter L., Sir Baldwin, Sir Walter, Edward, Roger, Blondel and 
English Gentlemen of the camp. 

Rich. What say you, gentlemen, shall the flag fly ? 
Or shall we yield to Austria's demand? 

All. Hurrah for the flag ! 
Enter from gates r., Leopold followed hif Austrian Gentlemen. 
Leopold approaches Richard. 

Leo. Your grace of England ! 

Rich. Good morrow, my lord duke. (Leopold sees Berengaria,) 

Leo. Berengai-ia ! — 

Rich. My lord — my future queen. 

Leo. So I have heard, sire. 

Ber. Welcome, Leopold. (Gives him her hand — 

he kisses it.) 

Leo. Sire, I am loath to break so sweet a scene 
With my rude errand — but I crave your pardon. 
The business will not wait. (Richard a«r/ Leopold, c. f.) 

Rich. My lord, I listen. 

Leo. This town, sire, is my camp, I bivouac 
Within its walls, waiting for you to start 
For Palestine — 

Rich. You'll not wait long for me, 

Leo. You, sire, have set your flag upon my walls, 
A gross and wanton insult to a fr-iend — 

Rich. Insult? 

Leo. a moment, sire — I must demand 

Its prompt removal — else — (hesitates) 

Rich. Well, my lord duke ? 

Leo. Or else I'll tear it down. 

Rich. You hear it, sirs ! 

This flag that I have set here — not in sign 
Of any quarrel with my lord of Austria — 
But as a warning to the townsfolk, fond 
Of fighting with the peaceful agents sent 
To buy provisions — this fair flag of England 
My lord of Austria will tear down — forsooth 
I give him leave to do it if he can. 

Leo. Then you'll not take it down ? 

Rich. No ! 

Leo. (To the Austrians) To the walls! 

Tear down the flag I 

(Richard runs to wad and stands below flag with draivn sword. The 
Austrians do not dare attack him. The Englishmen run toioards him.) 

Rich, (^'o ("A^ Englishmen) 
Stand back, my lords — stand back — Richard can guard 
His lions. (Leopold draws sword and faces Richard) 

Leo. Cowards 1 — We shall fight alone. 

(Berengaria approaches Richard) 

Bek. Ah, sire! you put in peril the Holy Cause, 
If such dissension rend the chiefs, what good 
Can come of your great enterprise ? 



TENT AND THRONE. 10 

Sm Bald. {To Richard) I' faith 

There is much reason in the hidy's words 
And after all the Austrian has some right . 

EiCH. Right ? 

Siu Bald. {Stoutly) 'Tis his camp. 

Rich. And truly 'tis my flag. 

Ber. Sire, in the name of peace— of the Holy Cause — 
Be generous to the duke.. 

Rich. {After a momenfs reflection) She's right — she's right— 
I'm but a headstrong, helpless fool — {To Leopold) 

My lord 
Although I am not willing that your men 
Tear down my flag, yet I will yield to you; 
No hand but Richard's lowers Richard's flag — 

lie takes down the flag giveH it to Sir Baldwin) 
My lord of Austria your town is clear. 
Let there be peace between us. (Leopold bows) 

Now, my lords. 
My bride is here — the long delay is o'er; 
Saladin gathers armies in the East 
Hoping to crush us by mere force of numbers; 
But we — relying on our sacred Cause, 
Shall triumph and the sepulchre be saved. 
The wind is fair — let us our journey take 
And sail for Cyprus. {To Berengaria) 

There we will be wed. 

Leo. My army, sire, is ready, France's too. 

Rich. Then beat the call — break camp and sail for Cyprus. 
Drums — trumpets — Richard ascends the landing with Berengaria, they 
turn and face audience. 

Rich. The eyes of the world are turned toward the East 
Where the pale crescent fronts the golden cross; 
The holy shrine of Christendom is held 
By infidels — be ours the sacred task 
To rend it from their hands — Glory and faith 
Call to the combat — so, my lords, for Cyprus! 

Drums — trumpets — above which rises the air of^'O Richard! monRoi! " 



CURTAIN. 



ACT 11. 



THE SIEGE OF ACRE. 
SCENE — An eminence within sight of Acre. Practicable rocks rising up stage, 
the highest point being reached at G. M groove with abrupt descent be- 
yond, invisible to aadience. Stage interspersed with palms and eastern 
plants . 

TIME — Late morning. 

Enter -L., with rising of n/rtain. Sm Baldwin and Sm Walter. 

Sir Bald. To-day the last assault is to be made; 
And Richard lies as helpless in his tent 
As any girl 

Sir Wal. The enemy is strong. 

Sir Bald. Too strong I fear. 

Sir Wal. The queen is sick with watching. 

Enter Blondel l. 

Sir Bat d. Ha Blondel ! any news ? 

Blon. No change, my lords — 

The fever burns him yet. 

Sir Wal. Some rumors ran 

Of snows that Saladin had sent him — snows 
Brought from yon mountains, which ascend so high 
That winter dwells perpetual on their peaks — 
Do you know about it, Blondel ? 

Blon. It is true; 

The King without them must have surely died. 

Sir Bald. There is some good then in the Saracen. 

Blon. A royal soul — for once King Richard dead, 
We all know how these hosts would melt away. 
And Saladin be left unquestioved lord 
Of Asia. 

Sir Wal. Faiths ;'.nd creeds may differ, sirs, 
But good hearts ai-e the same the wide world over. 
I love the Saracen for this. 

Juit>-r It. 2 K., EowARu and Roger. 

Hallo : 
Our old friends of the bottle. 

Edw. An' it please you, my lords, will there be fighting to-day? 

Sir Bald. Small doubt of that. 

Edw. And Avill King Richard be with us again ? 

Sir Bald. Small chance of that. 



TENT AND THRONE. 12 

Edw. Then I tell you — not for myself or my comrade — for we are 
both true men, and will fight to the last scratch— eh— Roger? — 

RoG. Hm : Hm ! 

Edw. He is slow of speech, my lords, but hard of fist — as I learned 
quite lately regarding a certain bottle of liquor you — 

Sir Bald. {Interrupting) Well ! well ! But what of King Richard ". 

Edw. Just this — The Austrians are mixing among our men with tales 
that Richard is dead — and his great two-handed sword broken — and they 
do say that his ghost walked the fields all last night. 

Sir BalDi This smacks of the duke. 

Edw. And unless King Richard leads the charge to-day, there will be 
many of jur men turn tail and run. 

RoG. The gossip tells the truth. He thinks he saw the ghost him- 
self. 

Edw. I ? Ah I beggarly comrade I I will never fly because of a ghost 
that can neither eat nor drink. But truly, I saw a shape much like 
the King. 

Sir Bald. Where wert thou? 

Edw. Roger and I cracked a bottle last night, and when our blood was 
well warmed we slept— Wakin.o- at the stroke of midnight, I saw the 
ghost steal by. 

Sir Wal. All the spirits you saw, comrade, were blood cousins of the 
villainous spirits you consumed. 

Sir Bald. Blondel — lead these two fellows to the King. Let them 
look at him for a moment, even if he throws his sword at them — and 
then, sirrahs, you can tell in the camp that you have seen King Richard. 
1 warrant he will receive you warmly enough. 

Exnnit I.., Blondkl, EDW^\Rl) and Roger. 

Sir Bald. So Leopold is working our defeat . 

Sir Wal He's mad in love with Berengaria — 
A wicked love drives honor from men's hearts. 
And makes them ready tools for villainy. 

Sir Bald. I care not why or wherefore — if the duke 
Play false with Richard lying sick to death 
Let him beware — 

Sir WAii. He fights most valo.rously 

To all appearances . 

Hnti-r Lkopot-u r. 2 e. 

LgQ. (Jood morning, gentlemen — 

How is our cousin Richard? 

Sir Bald. Sick-a-bed. 

Burning with fever 

Leo Then there is no change? 

Sir Bald. But for the faithful watching of the queen 
Ere this he would have died. 

LgQ I grieve for him . 

Sir Bald. And I for this day's fighting sadly grieve. 

Leo. Then, sirs, I must again assume command- 
Sir Baldwin you will lead the first assault 
Against the breach we opened yesterday— 
To you. Sir Walter, I entrust the task 



TENT AND THRONE. lo 

Of forcing entrance by the Prophet's Gale — 

Perilous work — but full of honor, sirs. 

I have already disposed the Austrian forces. 

SiK Bald. If, my lord duke, we fail again to-day, 
Were it not best to draw away awhile, 
Till Richaid be the better of his fever ? 

Sir Wal. For if the King should die, and the poor queen— (Stops 
emharassed.) 

Leo. What of the queen, sir? 

8lR Wal. Left without protector — 

Leo. Not quite defenceless, sirs, while Leopold 
Carries a sword — in any case the queen 
Shall be well cared for. Sound the charge, my lords. 

Sir Bald. {To Sir Wal) 
Ah ! if the King could only show himself 

Exexiit Sir Baldwin and Sir Walter, r 2 e. 

Leo. (c. f.) 
I count on this day's work to clear my path 
Of Pvichard — for if fever does not kill him 
Saladin soon will seize him in his tent 
And 1 will fly witli Berengaria. (Paces up and do/c/i untamly) 

love I — love ! — love! — thou art a very poison 
Turning me traitor. i\lliny thoughts are foul 
With treachery to Richard — and desire 

For Berengaria. Morn and noon and night 

1 think of her — I dream of her — I grow 
Faint with long waiting — Ah ! She is so fair — 

{AfasT.s- a riwynent — then hitteiiy) 
To win her I have sold my Christian faith 
And trafficked with the Saracen--my word 
Is pledged to thwart the purpose of our wars, 
And Richard's sickness plays into my hands. 
Ah God I this love that lifts men to such heights 
Of faith and honor — when the tides are turned 
(^an drag tliem to the deepest deep abyss 
( )f infamy I 

Fnt'T EmvAKD and RonKR. Vt'i'ti initeh rxcitrd. 

Edw. (Shoi/f.s) Long live King HichardI 

"ROG. ( Shot/t.s) Long live the KingI 

Leo. (Aside) These nre Knglishmen. {'Jo Edward (//<// Roger) 
" Long live the King,'' with all my heart, friends — but it is rumored 
that Richai'd is dead. 1 myself have tried to see him in vain, and I hear 
the queen weeping as if her heart would break — but do not tell your 
comrades of this, or they would lose courage, and that were ruin indeed. 

Edw. It is true, your grace, that we heard the same news this morn- 
ing and the courage oozed out of us, like the tallow from a burning 

cnndle. 

Leo. What— have the news spread so fast ? Then why do you brawl 
about shouting 'Long live the King!' 

Edw. Ah, your grace, gossip is a bolder liar than Satan himself—and 
Satan is no small liar, as all men know — 



TENT AND THRONE. 14 

RoG. Pish! pish ! gossip ! — We have seen King llichai'd. 

Edw. This beggarly fellow, your grace, will take the word from a 
man's mouth as neatly as the bottle from his pocket — and both are 
scurvy tricks. But he says true — we have seen the King and he is — 

Leo. Whom do you serve under ? 

Edw. Baldwin de Bethune, as worthy a — 

Leo. De Betliune's forces are moving — it is too late for you to join 
him — remain here I {Asidi') These fellows nuist not spread their news — 
they might spoil all yet. 

Edw. But, your grace, here there are no rich purses to get — no rare 
bottles to crack — no pretty lips to kiss— no heads to l)reak. Besides — 
the King gave us a message for Sir Baldwin. 

Leo. What is it ? 

Edw. Truly this — (Roger .s/ap.s his lumd orrr Edwahd's /nn/f/i, puihin// 
him back ward.) 

RoG. Fool ! — (To Leopolo) He bade us tell it to no one but Sir Bald- 
win . 

Edw. {Rubbing his mouth) That is very true — the churl has wit. 

Leo. (Throics a purse doam before Edward) Tell me the message. 
Thou' It not be able to find Sir Baldwin this day. 

Edw. {Lookn Jouffiugbi at purxr) Nay, your grace, he specially said 
Sir Baldwin. 

Leo. Tell it me — quick! — [Druj/is — trumpets) They begin the attack. 

Edw. Nay, I'll not. A poor man's honor is as good as any duke's — 
and I'll not soil mine. Moreover, Richard's arms are long. 

ROG. {Approvinf^ly) Hm ! Hm ! — 

Leopold dran-s his sirord — threatens Edward. 

Leo. Now, curse you, I have dallied long enough — what said the 
King ? 

Enter four soldiers I,.., bearing a. litter covered with a scarlet robe on which 
RiCHAKD lies. Blondel and Berengaria/o//o«". 

Edw. The King! 

Leo. Ha ! he is come ! — 

Rich. Stay I— 

IVie soldiers put down litter, C. F., and retire up stage — Bloxdel stands 

behind litter — Berengaria kneels in front of it. Richard supports 

himself on his elbow — he is haggard and emaciated. Leopold l. f. 
Edward and Roger r. f. 

Rich. My lord duke, you see I am not dead. 

Ber. {Is verg pale and exhausted) 
Richard — 'Tis madness thus to play with death, 
You should be sleeping in some cool, quiet place. 
Not breathing in this hot and humid air 
That will recall the fever — Come with me 
Back to thy tent. 

Rich. {To Leoi-old) My lord, liow goes the siege'.' 

Leo. The assault begins. 

Drums, fru/iipets, and sounds <,f ronjiici heard tin oui/h ensuing scenes. 



TEXT AND THRONE, 15 

Rich. (Points to rock) Blondel, stand on that rock 
And make report of what you see. 
Blondel climbs the rock. Richard sees Edward tnid Rookr, cunlinues. 

How now ? 
Why do you loiter here? 

Edw. The duke so bade . 

KiCH. And I commanded you to join the ranks — 
What ! am I disobeyed ? 

Edw. But, sire — the duke — 

Rich. Run — run — and spread the news that Richard's out 
And on the field ! 

Edw. and Rog. [Run off r. 2 e. shoutiny) 

Long live the King — Long live — 
[Their voices die aioay) 

Rich". By what authority, my lord, did you 
Rescind my orders ? 

Leo. Sire, I thought you sick — 

Not knowing the state of battle — and I gave 
Such orders as seemed pi^oper. 

Rich. Blondel !— 

Blon. {From rock) Sire ? 

Rich. Do you see naught ? — 

Blon. The tight is not begun. 

Rich. (Verj/ impatient li/ to Leopold) 
And why are you not on the field, my lord ? 

Leo. The last two days have sadly gone against us; 
If the assault should fail to-day, we must 
Retreat — [ wait the outcome of the fight. 
So that the army may not lack a leader. 

Rich. 'Tis not my fashion, but perhaps 'tis well. 

[Sinks hack exhausted) 

Ber. Sire — will you not return? 

Rich. Nay, love — the fever 

Seems to relax its hold on me — I'll wait 
The end of the attack. 

,4.s- he continues Berengaria />///.v asleep, hi-r hi-ad on the litter. RrcHARD 
strokes her hair . 

My dearest love I 
Thou art so worn with watching by my side — 
I o-rieve to see thy pale and hollow cheeks, 
And poor dim eyes. 

Leo. The queen hath nursed thee, sire ? 

Rich. She was my wife — she has become my mother 
By virtue of the second life she gives me — 
But for her loving, patient, tender, care, 
Ere this I should have passed the narrow gates 
To track the wan wastes of the realm beyond. 
Poor little one, how thin she is — how thin. 

.1 jioiai'ui of silence. Blondel cries suddenly from the rock. 



TEXT AXD TimoKE. 



ir. 



Blon. They storm the walls ! 

Rich. {Pihing iinpftuoiiKh/) Who leads ? {His )iH>rriitntf n-rdcs T>v.iiv.sga- 
ria) 

JJlon. Baldwin de Bethime 

Batters the breach — De 1' Estaing's at the gates— 
The Austrians support them (Richarp /<///« hack) 

Rich. cursed weakness ! 

Blon. Baldwin is down — a score of Saracens 
Ai*e on him — 

Kick. Ah !— 

Blon. He gains another horse. 

Saints I how he fights — the Templars join him— All ! 
They're through the breach — De 1' Estaing pushes back. 
He is outnumbered ten to one. 

Rich. The breach ! 

Blon. I cannot see Sir Baldwin,lv,it liis troops 
^ Press onward — 

Rich. Good '. 

Ri.ON. De r Estaing still retreats — 

{Ifr is xih'iif. a iiuimriit—lhcn j)oiiils R.) 

From yonder rock we could observe the gate. 

Rt('HA.R1> si(/n(ih—1h(' four soldiers, trho Inirr , ri)i,iii,e<l up stuip', nnnc 
fnr>rar>J) 

Rich. {I'oin/s r.) 
^ Quick ! Carry me to yonder i-ock. 

Ber. {Cliuf/huj to him) No! No! 

Rich. Leopold, gather all the forces left 
And reinforce De 1' Estaing— he must liold 
Or Baldwin's breach is useless— quick, now— <iuick! 
Blondel— stay with the cpieen. 

Kk^IIARD roughly puts airag Berexgaria— ^.ov^/// s,>/,/,rr.< rarriinxj Kicll- 
ARi> on Jitter R. 2 e. Berengaria rises. 

Rp^i^ Nay. Blondel— go I 

I will not trust him with a soul but you — 

You Know his sickness— watch him carefully— (P«-''/"«y Imu l» i? . ) 
Go ' I will stay here— if the day goes ill 
Bring back the King— Go 1— I will wait him here 

/•;r;7 Blondel r. 2 e. Berengaria stands looking out u. Z e. 

Leo! Now shall this spectre thwart my dearest hopes? 
The sight of him will make the mad fools fight 
As if tbe fiend were in them— shall I go ?— 

Oy ^vait nm\—{(i/>P>'f'^'^^"^'-^ Berengaria) 

Ah I sweet cousin ? 
Berengaria starts— regards him haaghtilg. 

Beu. You, sir— here?— 

Did not you hear the King s command? 

Leo. The King 

Knows not how strong the tide is turned against us-- 
l must remain to shield retreat— and note 
To serve as iinarprntector. 



TENT AND THRONE. 17 



Ber. {Coming c. f.) You do wrong, 

The King is chief— you owe him loyal obedience — 
I pray you, sir, to go — to cross him now 
Perhaps would cost his life 

Leo. {Coming hif her nidc) And if it should? — 

Ber. My lord ?— 

Leo. {Passionatchi) I am not made of ice or steel, 

My heart can ache, my soul grow sick with pain 

The year just passed has been for me an age 
Of torture — in the camp or on the field, 
Richard has flung me insult — scorn — contempt — 
The glory of this enterprise is his — 
The labor and obscurity are mine — 
And if I have endured with silent lips, 
And if I have refrained from swift retort — 
And left my good sword idle in my sheath. 
My gauntlet dangling cowardly at my belt — 
"Tis but for one thing — one sad, sweet, sharp cause 
/ Jove, j/ou — love — 

Ber. {Interrupting) Enough sir ! — you forget 
That I am Richard's wife ! 

Leo. Forget — Ah God ! 

Could I forget — could I but dream again. 
And dream you were the laughing, lissome girl 
Who ran with me along the sunny slopes 
And vineyards of Navarre — happy days ! 
Then we wei-e young and both our souls pure white — 
You were as virgin as the skies of dawn 
And I would watch you hour after hour. 
And wait on you to hear your maiden lips 
Building a pretty fortune for us both — 

Ber. My lord, you frighten me — I will not hear 
Another word — go sir, and join the fight — 
The Holy Cavise may wean you from your sia . 

Leo. {Cnc/ies her by the wrist) 
All this was changed by Richard — Richard came — 
And Leopold was but a sorry duke 
Before the splendor of the King to be. 
He laughed — I sulked — he played a careless part. 
Ran with the hounds and tilted at the jousts. 
While I hung near you, greedy for a look — 
He left you lightly and the years passed by — 
You cared no more for me — but when he sent, 
As one does for a servant, swift you ran 
And found him at Messina. 

Ber. Are you mad? 

Why all this talk of things so long gone by ? 

Leo. Because — I love gou — 

Ber. {Tearing herself from him) Coward! you insult 
King Richard's wife when Richard is away — 

Leo. Ah?— 



TKXT AND THRONE. 1^ 

Ber. It is true I folloAved him afar — 

And I would follow him clear to the end 
Of the broad world — I never loved but him, 
My lover and my husband — 

(.4 great clamor i.s lieard.) 

Hark ! 
Leo. [Ihnn up (lie rock — looks) They fly ! 

Comes doivn stage to Berengaria. 
Come, Berengaria, come with me — they fly ! 

Ber. They fly ! now all saints watch over him I 
Leo. There is no time for prayer- -we must away. 
Or Saladin's troops will soon be on us. 

Ber. No ! 

I must wait here — Richard is close at hand , 

Leo. "Tis sheerest folly — Richard's lords will take 
Good care of him — come, cousin — we must fly, 
The time is slipping fast. 

Arrises of the roat heard. 

Ber. Then fly, my lord, 

But I shairstay — I am a queen — a wife — 
1 will not stir without my Richard — 

Leo. {Catching lier hf/ the loaist. Ah! 

You must ! Our time's too precious to be lost 
In words. 

He d rails her toirards l. 

Ber. Help ! Help ! 

Leo. Be silent, pretty fool — - 

The Saracens are near. 

Ber. Help I Richard '. Help ! 

Enter soldiers carrging Richard on litter — Catching sight of Leopold, Rich- 
ard y^/?«/'.!?//-ow litter and rims to l.; hurling Leoi'OLD to c. F., he places 
his arm round Berengaria — 

Enter R. 2 e., Sir Baldwin and Sir Walter, iritli .seneral officers. 
Theg run towards Leopold. 

Rich. What — Leopold I — Stand back, my lords, stand bacK — 
I have stood between the Austrian and my flag, 
And do not fear to guard my wife from him. 

Ber. But, sire, the rout begins — we must away ! — 

lliCH. Why are you here, my lords, why are you here '! 
You should be in the thickest of the fight. 

Sir Bald. We guard your person — without you all were lost. 

Rich. And you, my lord of Austria, you have left 
This army to be conquered — you have played 
The coward ? 

Le;o. (As if rousing himself f/om a stupor) 
Coward ? 

Rich. Yes the coward ! this 

Shall 'vouch the Avord. (Plucks a silk glove from hi.s belt and jlings it in 
Leopold's /r/rr\) 



TEXT AND THRONE. ii:^ 

Now haste you while you can, 
And help keep back this rout — or by the mass ! 
I will disknight you — there is time enough 
To settle our private quarrel. 

Leo. Time enough 

Exit Leopold r. 2 e. 

Sir Bald. But, sire, permit us to remove you hence, 
The fever will return 
Rich. Remove me now? — 

Through, the following scene a terrible struggle of tJw will with physiceil 
U'eakness is oljserrerl. 

De I'Estaing bring my armor. 

' Kcit De l'Estaixo l. 

Now's the time 
For all to do their best. 

IIe-enter De lEstaing l., with full suit of armor — lielmet—and twa-handeil 
sword. Sir Baldwin andSi'R Walter arm Richard. 

Rich. Ah ! trusty steel ! 

Yovir merry click is music in my ears . 

Stands full-armed — vizor up. 
/* The sun is scarcely past the mid-day hour, 
There's time to fight another battle yet ! 
Sir Walter, stay with theqr.een — and Blondel too I 
He left her once before — this day it seems 
That all must disobey me. 

The rout grows louder — Richard runs up the rock — shouts 

Saints and fiends I 
Turn back ! turn back ! and front the walls again — 
Richard is coming — Richard I — - 

Great shouts arise of "Long live the King .''" 

Rich. Ah, Baldwin — see ! — they turn — the day is ours, 
The battle shouts again delight my eai-s — 

To Berenc.aria. 
Wait but a little, love, and we'll be back ! 

Turns, stands with profile to audience- he shouts 

Richard and the Cross ! 

Uiohaud Jumps — Sir Balvwis runs off n. 2 e. — Sir Walter r/«rf Blondel 
support Berenoaria — who weeps. 



Note— Action at the end must be exceedingly rapid— Richard's jump and the fall 
of the curtain must be ahnost simultaneous. 



ACT III, 



IN THE TOILS ! 

SCENE. — The public room of an inn at Vienna. Small door in flat, L. 
Larf/e dorihle-door r . 2 e. Fireplace L. Table c. f. Ceiling, fur- 
niture and all appurtenance.^ of a strictly medieval character. 

'nUK—Evenin;i. 

Discovered. — Landlady seated l.. knittiny — Gretcuex, Inistliny about. 
— Leopold, Edward, Roger, First and Second Austrian Officers and 
six or seven roysterers seated at table, drinkiny. Leopold dispoxc\- his cloak 
and hat so as to disyuisp himself. 

Shouts and rlinkiny of ylaxscs as curtain rises. 

All. a song I A song I 

Oui- of till' company rises and sinys: 

?Iei-e's a health to thee, wine ! ruddy wine ! 

Friend alike of the sage and the fool — 
Sweeter far than the grape on the vine, 

Is the wine from the cellar so cool. 

Drain a glass to the red juice itself! 

Was there ever a draught half as tine '.' 
Drown your greed of renown or of pelf, 

In a tanRard of wine I ruddy wine ! 

Life is short ! friends are false ! love decays I 
And of cloudy nights stars cannot shine — 

But there's joy after all of the frays, 
In a bumper of wine ! ruddy wine I 

Shouts of applause. Gretchen _/?7/« the ylasscs anen-. 

Edw. a good song I A good song I Wine forever ! 

Leo. Well said, comrade? Wine forever I and plenty of it — fill again, 
till again— (77u7/ .////). 

Edw. [Shows signs of drunkenness which increasees throuylt the scene) 
Wine is a good friend, for it lends itself to all men's humors. Here's 
Roger — the moi-e he drinks the more silent he grows; and that's to his 
liking. • 

RoG. A fool's tongue wags aiway, from the root up. 

Edw. If thou wert not my best friend I'd make thee answer for that 
• tool,' Roger — I have not gone a crusading to be bearded like a boy. 

IjEO. So you came from the Crusades ? 



TENTT AND THROXE. 21 

Edw. Aye !— From Acre and x\scalon— cursed towns where all the 
girls go veiled and never a pretty one lets you peep under. / To Gretchex) 
Thou starest in amazement, little one, and well thou mayest — but if 
thou wert a Saracen girl I could not look at thy big black eyes, {dnurH 
her toirardhim ap'rtionafelii) nor thy plump, rosy cheeks— nor sit thee 
on my lap— so — {pulh her on /li.s }ai"e) nor kiss thee — so — {ki^^Ke^ her— 
xhe gire>^ him a sharp slap and jumps up). 

Gret. Ah the saucy knave 1 lie is bolder than his betters- -with a 
woman. If all Crusaders are like thee, I do not wonder that the Holy 
Cause fares no better. {Goes fo the fire and hei/ins eookini/.) 

Leo. The Christians meet disaster then ? 

Edw. One cannot say that either — There is a truce between King 
Richard and the Siiltan Saladin. {Takes up the icine-jug—finds it eniptij) 
More wine ! More wine I {GiiKTCiiEyi runs and fif/s it) Dost thou not 
see how the dryess oozes out of my skin? {Drinks) ITa ! Ha! That 
was a capital song — let's sing it again — {In a cracked voier) 

" Here's a health to thee, wine I ruddy wine !"' 

Landlady. Nay, man, it is on the stroke of curfeAv— when the law 
compels us to shut our shops — so no more noise to-night, for this is an 
honest place, though my husband be dead in his grave of a felon . 

Leo {To Ei:)Wari)) And whom dost thou travel with? 

Edw. Sir Walter De I'PiStaing and the — (Roger dcliberatrli/ throu-s ihr 
ran tents of his (//ass in Edward's mouth — he splutters angrib/) 
The devil take thee, Roger, for a churl — Thou'rt drunk, Roger— thou'rt 
drunk I 

Ro(;.Come away ! 

Edw T have not finished with this worthy comrade — Moreover I 
liave a thirst like the desert — T will leave Vienna wineless, so that this 
friend still pay. 

Leo. Drink away, friends {All drink) And who accompanies the 
noble De I'Estaing ? 

Roo. Faith I the merchant Hugo, of Damascus. 

Edw. Ha ! Ha I An excellent merchant, he — one who deals in wares 
of precious value. I have seen that same merchant — sword in hand — 
(Roger //o^'.s behind him — pul-i both hands orer hi.y )n'>afh and xo drags hint 
barku-ard till he sprawls on the floor.) Help ! Help I 

Leo. Thy pleasantries are rough enough, fellow. 

Roo. They serve my rurn. 

Leo. Suit seems. It may serve my turn to have thee soundly 
whipped. 

EdW. [Rises to his feet in a mtudUn condition) What's that, you churl? 
— have Roger whipped ? No, no ! I stand by Roger — and who art thou ? 

Leo. I serve the Duke of Austria. 

Edw. And I the — {Straps abruptig — laughs racantlg) 

"Here's a health to thee, wine !"' — 

The tolling of the curfew bell /.v h<ard. 

Landlady. (Rising) Now then — you who do not lodge here, clear out 
— and be quick about it too I 

Enter D. F. I,., Page irith a pair officrible steel glore.s at his bell. 



TENT AND THRONE. 22 

Page. Sir Walter Del' Estaing and the merchant Hugo will sup be- 
low to-night . 

Exeunt First ai\d Second Austrian officers and other roysterem. 

Leo. [To page) And whose gloves are those, my pretty lad? 

Page. Themerchant Hugo's, sir. 

Leo. [Aside) Ha! This Hugo goes sword in hand and wears gauntlets 
of steel — we shall see — we shall see . 

Landlady, {To Leopold) Come, come! clear out ! clear out ! [He 
drmra her aside, fhron-s hark his cloak and hat for a nioincnt) 
Your grace ! 

Leo. Keep silent — not a word ! 

lioG. [To Edward) Come fool, to bed ! 

Edw. [Has hecome very mellou-) Not till I've kissed my charming 
little Gretchen again — come dear, to your own Crusading lover — 

Geet. I'll kiss no' man who has drunk too much. 

Edw. [With yestures of druvken mdiynation) Too much I — I! — too 
much ? — Roger now is drunk I admit — and my friend yonder — [Points 
to Leopold) bul, I ? cruel slander — how canst thou taint so rosy a 
pair of lips? Can a drunken man stand like this — see? [tries to stand 
xtraiyht hut totters to and fro) But after all when women wont kiss for 
love they will for gold — so come — kiss me for a silver crown — {Shows 
her piece of monry) with King Kichard's head on it, too! 

Geet. Is it truly Hkc him ? (Edward nods) Well then 111 kiss thee 
lo get rid of thee. [They kiss — he gives her the croien) 

Edw. The flavor of thy kiss surpasseth wine. Were I a poet I would 
write an ode to kisses — Avhich should rhyme with blisses — and misses — 
nnd- ^ 

RoG. Hisses I Come — to bed ! [Drags him to l.) 

Krevvt 'RoGEB and Edward l., Ev>\\ATiJ) singing "Here's a health to thee, 

nine."' IaEOVolV) approaches Gretchen and takes the coin from her. 

She recognizes Jiim in a frightrned way . Goes o7i with her cooking at 

lire. 

Leo. It is of Richard's stamp. {To Landlady) Who are these 
people at your inn ? 

Landlady. Sir Walter Del' Estaing, of England, and the merchant 
Hugo, of Damascus. 

Leo. What manner of man is this Hugo ? 

Landlady A very noble man indeed — with great blue eyes and yel- 
low beard forked in the centre, like the pictures of Saint John — a very 
kind man too — but swift to anger, heaven knows — an ill-cooked supper 
will send him into a iit of rage 

Leo. I oes he serve Sir Walter ? 

Landlady. Not he — he serves nobody — he walks up acd down his 
room all the morning — sleeps all the afternoon — sups when curfew rings 
and then enjoys the night air of the streets — and that, your grace, is all 
I know of him. 

Leo. [Aside) Yes — I will wager it is Richard. Ah ! if I have him — 
if I \\xy\^\nm— [Turns sharply and addresses \,x^T)i.\\n) Say nothing of 
me to your guests. [Aside) I will assure myself — and then — beware, 
Richard, beware ! We are not now at Acre, 



TENT AND THRONE. 23 

Exit Leopold d. r. 

Landlady. Oh dear? whom have I been harboring, that the Duke 
himself should come to my poor honse ? 

Landlady rcsurnes her knitting. Gretchen arranges mppcr on the table. 

Gret. There's a haunch of venison — and currant jelly — and Sicily 
wine — and cheese from France. A supper tit for a King. Ah ! that 
good Hugo I If trovible should come to him how sorry I should be — I 
think 1 can hear him now — with that mellow voice of his — 

She hums the air of the none/ sung in first act. Enter d. f. l., Richard, as 
the merchant Hugo, {wearing full heard) — and Sir Walter. They 
stand loatching Gretchen, ivlio busies about the table — humming. 

Rich. The pretty child — how sweet the old tune sounds, 
You know it, Walter — often in the night, 
When I have burned with fever, nothing else 
Would sooth me but the singing of that song — 
It sends my thoughts to Berengaria — 
Poor wife ! She sleeps beneath the Syrian sky. 
Nor dreams her Richard is so closely pressed. 
I'd give u world to clasp her in my arms. 

Sir Wal. 'Tis well, sire, that the queen sailed not with us, 
She ill had borne the hardships of this voyage, 
The shipwreck and the secret march- - 

Rich. 'Tis well 

Indeed. {Theg come forward, Gretchen curtseys) 
But where are our two soldiers gone ? 

Sir VVal. {To Landlady) 
Good mother, wliere are ray two servants gone? 

Landlady. There was a roystering company here to-night, 
Your men grew too familiar with the bottle 
And now have gone to bed — 

Sir Wat-. " The scoundrels ! 

Rich. Nay, 

Poor devils, they have had their till of fasting — 
Besides — we shall not need them. 

Richard and Sir Walter .svV at the table . 

Well, my girl, 
Here's a good supper. 

[They conunence eating) 

(tRET. Fit sir, for a King. 

Sir Wal. It is indeed— but master Hugo here 
Can eat as much as any King — and I 
Am no mean trencherman. 

Rich. {Laughingly) Fit for a King ! 
And hast thou ever seen a King, my girl ? 

Gret. No sir, but I have seen Duke Leopold. 

Rich. He's very good material for a King — 
Faith! I have seen some Kings not half as fine. 



TENT AND THRONE. ^4 

(iRET. But if you come, sirs, from the Holy Land, 
Surely you must have seen King Richard— 

Rich. ^'®^ • 

Gret. ! tell me how he looks— for all the troopers 
Returning from the Crusades say such tales 
Of Richard, I would give my little finger 
To see him . ^ ^ i 

Rich. {Laughing) What a waste of pretty flesh- 
Why Richard's but a very sorry fellow— 
With some brute strength, 'tis true— but bah ! he s not 
A whit the better favored than myself. 
This gentleman knows more of him than I. {AmU) 
The solemn truth, for what man knows himself? 

Sir Wal. Good Master Hugo jests— indeed the King 
Is of a handsome face and shapely form— 
Although his eyes perhaps do not quite match. 
His nose too, is a trifle out of joint- 
One shoulder just a shade above the other— 
And yellow hair a rather dirty shade . 

Gret Oh la ! I don't call that a handsome man. 

Rich. 'Tis well the King can't hear i\^^ frimdlg praise. 

Sir Wal. Ah truly ! he is very vain. 

Rich. {Laughng) ^.!'^''- w'vp 

Sir Wal. Nay, Master Hugo, treason it might be 
To speak so honestly before the King- 
Few are the friendships that can bear the truth. 

Rich I'll pay thee for this yet. {Fmhe. plate, away-lean^ back) 
Ah ! now I feel 
Another man. Come danger, want, or care, 
There is much comfort in a well-cooked dinner. 

't^'^i^:^^e r.no.es .liskes) I'll not believe your 

''1^'^^i, my girl-it is the veriest slander. 
Gret. What! have you changed opinion .^^ _^^^^^^ 

There's a vast gulf between opinions given 

Before and after dining.^ Now I think 

Richard's a handsome King. . ^. ., 

Gret. (Foaring out wme) There's Sicily wine, 

I got it for you from the Duke's own butler . 
Rich Leopold's wine ! {Laugh,— theg drink) 
RICH. -Leopc K^^^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^ p^.^^^y g^^^_ 

Stretch out the finger that thou wouldst have given 
To look at KicMvd-{Futs a ring on herfurger) 

There's a ring for thee— 
Wear it-and if King Richard ever comes 
To Vienna-take it too him-fbr he knows 
The merchant Hugo, and for love of him- 
Fxceedino- love of him- will entertain thee . 

GRET A ring for me-and such a pretty pearl- 
Now if you were some laughing soldier-laa 
I'd give you such a kiss — 



TENT AND THRONE. 25 

Rich. {Gaily) Nay give it me. 

Heaven forfend that I should lose such guerdon. 

(Gretchen coquettiMy kisses him.) 

Faith ! Walter ! there is sometimes compensation 
For loss of rank. 

Gretchen (occupies hprself uhoxit the room, looking every now and then at the 

ring. 

Slii Wal. 'Tis well w^e start to-morrow — 
A merchant who throws Cyprus pearls away 
Might well arouse suspicion. 

Rich By the saints ! 

I never thought of that . 

Sir Wal. You were not made 

For traveling incognito sire, that's plain. 
But yesterday you gave so royal a present 
To some poor baron who chanced to treat us well 
That all the neighborhood was in a ferment — 
You know we had to run to hide ourselves. 
And now you're throwing pearls about as if 
.Jewels were thick as dust. 

Rich. Well, grumbling sir, 

No man can break the habits of his life 
Without some practice 

Sir Wal. Would that we were safe 

in England. 

Rich. Ah ! I cannot think it true 
That .John's a traitor— yet he's very crafty. 
Well we shall soon be there and know the worst — 
Or best- -Come, let us stretch our legs awhile, 
I feel as stiff — 

Sir VVal. But those two churls are drunk . 

Rich. Well what of that? We two can at a pinch 
Defend ourselves. Besides, who would attack 
A noble Knight of England and a poor 
Damascus mei'chant, taking the night air? 
They will but think it is a foreign custom. 
Come, Walter, I insist ! 

Sir Wal. Then I obey. 

Thry walk towards D. ii., wJien a loud knocking is heard on the outside. 

Tiiey stop. 

Landlady. {Goings, r.) Hey-day! Here's a hurly-burly. What's 
the matter there? What's the matter? Do you know the time o' night? 

First Aus Off. {From outside) Open in the name of the Duke ! 
[Knocking renewed) 

Landlady. Open the door? Well! well! we're honest folk and there's 
nothing to be afraid of. Yes! yes! keep quiet, keep quiet — have a 
minute's patience. 



TENT AND THRONE. 26 

She opens door. Enter First and Second Austrian Officers (md half-a- 
dozen followers. 

Now what do you want? 

Gret. (Mockingly) In the name of the duke ! 

FiEST Aus. We want wine— and lodging for the night. 

Richard and Sir Walter stand l. f. 

Landlady. That you'll not get here. It's against the law to harbor 
strangers after curfew. 

First Aus. Bah ! Here are the Duke's orders. [Hands her a paper) 
We are troopers of his own company just come from the Holy Land — 
and there is no place else for us to-night. 

Landlady. Well! well I We must obey the Duke. Give them some 
wine, Gretchen. 

The Aiistrians sit at table — Gretchen Imngs them wine. 

Rich. [To Sir Walter) 
By special order of the duke — dost hear 'i 

Sir Wal. Is it possible that he hath found us out 

Rich. We'll stay and see the end of this adventure. 

8iR Wal. 1' faith 'tis safer here than out-o-doors, 
If Leopold hath scent of us. 

First Aus. {To Richard and Sir Walter) Ho there ! 
Comi-ades ! — come join us! 

Gret. "Comrades' ' — Well-a-day ! 

This gentleman's an English Knight — and this 
A merchant of Damascus. 

Second Aus. Knight or merchant 

They both come from the Crusades . 

Rich. Ha ! 

Second Aus. And so 

We're brethren of the Cross. Come, comrades, drink. 

Sir Wal. To what ? 

First Aus. Confusion to the Saracens. 

Sir Wal Good ! I'll drink that with pleasure. 

First Aus. {To Richard) So must thou 

Old grey-frock. 

Rich. Yes — two bumpers to thy one. 

Richard and Sir Walter sit at table — All drink the toast. Exit Gretch- 
en L. 

Second Aus. A jovial old trader, by the Mass ! 
What dost thou deal in ? 

Rich. Good Damascus blades. 

Fist Aus. Drink ! drink ! another toast ! Long live the Duke ! 

Sir Wal. What Duke? 

Second Aus. What Duke? There's ooly one Duke here, 

That's Leopold of Austria. 



TENT Ais^D THRONE. 27 

First Aus. To the Duke : 

Come fill thy cup, thou dealer in old metals ! 
Rinse out thy shaggy throat with mellow sack . 
A rare old shopman, eh ? 

Second Aus. A drunken jack 

I'll warrant. What's thy name, old scrap-iron ? 

Rich. Now by St. George I — 

8iR Wal. {InternqAing hitn) My friend, good gentlemen, 
Is called the armorer Hugo. 

First Aus. Is the man 

Ashamed of his name — that you must tell it for him ? 

Enttr Geetchen l. 

(jrRET. (To AUSTRIANS) 

Your rooms are ready, sirs. 

Second Aus. Well, we are not. 

We've found good comrades and we'll stick by them. 
But gentlemen, we've not yet drunk the Duke. 

First Aus. We'll do it standing — come, sirs, to your feet — 
Here's to Duke Leopold ! [All rise) 

Rich. Here's to the Duke ! 

And may he never have a better friend 
Drink to his health than L {All sit) 

First Aus. That's right — that's right! 

Old brass-bones took it standing. 

Second Aus. By the Mass ! 

I did not catch his phrase. [To Richard) Repeat it, sir ! 

Rich. Go to the devil ! 

First Aus Hey-day ! What's all this? 

An officer insulted by a merchant ? 
Come sir, I'll teach you manners. 

He jumps to his feet and draws his sword. Richard /oces him. Sir Wal- 
ter interposes between them. 

Sir Wal. If you be 

True gentlemen you will not offer fight 
To an unarmed man. In any case you first 
Must deal with me. 

First Aus. Have at thee, then ! 

They draw and cross sivords. Gretohen jowsAes between them. 

GreT. No fighting here ! These gentlemen are guests — 
Peaceable men, who pay their reckoning — 
I'll call the watch. 

First Aus. Come, come — a charming girl. 
And what a pretty ring — who gave it thee ? 

Gret. a better man than thou — 

First Aus. Perhaps — perhaps — 

Why 'tis a Cyprus pearl — I'll wager now 
That Master Hugo gave it thee. 



TENT AND THRONE. 28 

(tKET. And if 

He did ? 

First Aits. Why thou shah give me a small kiss 
For tinding out the secret. (Si'/zcs her) 

Gret. That I'll not ! 

Come, let me go ! 

First Aus." I'll have that kiss, my dear, 
In spite of thee or fate or master Hugo — 
The sly old dog—{7'hn/ str(t(/glc) 

(tRET. Help! Help! He's hurting me ! 

Richard calchps First Austrian hi/ the Ihroat and Jtinijslihii ti> the ground. 

Rich. Now by St. George you cur ! Ive long enough 
Endured these insults — get you hence I say — 

First Austrian ■■^trugglen to his feet — all the others rise icitli.. drairn s/rords. 

Second Aus. We're fi-om the Duke. 

Rich. A curse upon your Duke ! 

Sir Wal. Sire ! 

All. Treason I Treason ! 

First Aus. Guard the passage ways ! 

Now Master Hugo, we'll account with thee. 

Doors R. o/)e?i . Troopers seen oNtside. 

Sir Wal. Put up your sword, sire; there's a troop outside, 
Resistance would be useless — Gentlemen 
I pray you think a little in cold blood — 
'Tis true this man has struck an officer, 
But I will answer for him — I will fight 
His cause. 

First Aus. No, no ! We'll take him to the Duke. (To Riohard) 
Give me your sword. 

Rich. These are pretenses sir, 

Send for the Duke. 

Sir Wal. No, no ; Good gentlemen 
Will you accept a thousand marks of ransom ? 
And we'll set out at once. 

First Aus. Mj orders are 

To take him to the duke. 

Rich. Enough — enough — 

'Tis not my custom, sir, to give my sword 
To any but the chiefest in command — 
Send for the Duke, for I will not stir hence. 
Second Aus. Fine talk from a Damascus merchant — eh ? 
First Aus. Fine talk indeed — give me your sword — 
Rich. Stand back I 

Back on your peril. 

Theg recoil — Enter Leopold r. 

First Aus. Ah, your grace ! 



TENT AND THRONE. 29 

Leo. What's this? 

First Aus {Pointing to Richard) 
This .is the Merchant Hugo. 

h^O.^^{Aside) It is he ! 

Rich. Duke Leopold your fortunes touch their top — 
You might have sent in a more gentle way 
Than these rough brawlers use. 

Leo. Are you indeed 

The Merchant Hugo ? I must question you. 

Rich. Enough of this — You know me and I know 
You. [Throics open his frock, disclosing coat of litiked mail) 
With this frock 1 bury an old friend. 

All. Richard ! 

Gret. What! Richard? 

Rich. Richard of England, girl. 

You've had your wish . (Hands sword to Leopold) 
Your grace, I yield my sword. 

Leo. Now do the winds of fortune fill my sails . 

Richard c, Leopold r., Gretchen L.,in attitude of heicilderment . 



ACT IV. 



LA TOUR TENEBREUSE ! 

SCENE. — The Castle of Triefels set in second grooves l,, ending at c. in a 
round tower, lohich rises to fall height of stage, with grated windows at 
each story — windows set obliquely, facing R. proscenium. Left of toioer 
a massive icall, tcith heavy carved doors approached by a short flight of 
steps. Wall extends into second grooves L., till lost to sight. A narrow 
terrace runs around the toiver at about half its height, extending along 
the wall. All practicable. Rough, gloomy architecture, r. — Open 
country from '?. to third grooves, where ground sinks representing the 
left bank of the Rhine — Landscape on flat represents rigid bank of the 
Rhine., lonely and desolate. Low murmur of tlie river heard tJtrough act. 

TU,IE.— Sunset to night. 

Discovered — Edward and Roger, seated on ground, c. f. . polishing a 
breastplate. 

Edw. a year and three months since they caught King Richard, like 
a fox in a poacher's trap. A* year and three months — well— well ! — 
Dost thou hear, old bear ? 

ROG. One cannot well be with thee and not hear. 

Edw. Always surly as a bull-dog. Thou art a born misanthrope, 
Roger. War cannot loosen thy tongue, nor wine make thee garrulous — 
woman herself is powerless to. break thy stony silence. Thou art tit but 
for one thing. 

RoG. Hm ? 

Edw. To be talked to. Thou excitest greater eloquence than thou 
couldst ever express. Dost thou know the hour of the King's return ? 

RoG. No. 

Edw. I pity the Duke if Richard ever gets free. I would not change 
skins with him then. {A moment of silence) Dost thou ever think of 
Gretchen, the little maid of the inn? 

RoG. Yes. 

Edw. Thou dost? Wonders will never cease? — So do I, Roger, often 
and often — she is the only girl I have ever met to whose apron-string 1 
would willingly tie myself — and how she wept for the King. 



TENT AND THRONE. 31 

Enter Gretchen r. in page's dress, loitJi. high hoots. 

Gret. Good-day, sirs. 

Edw. Good-day, my lad, (Gretchen starts) 

Gret. Saints of Heaven ! You aVe surely King Richard's men. 

Edw. Ay, lad! But how dost thou know that? Thou art not of these 
parts. 

Gret. {Laughing)Come, come now — don't you remember me? 

Edw. Not I. 

ROG. Gretchen — (Edward jumps to his feet, throwing the breastplate 
awag — Roger rises more slowlg) 

Edw. What, Gretchen ? It is — it is — moment of happiness worth 
a world of grief — [Runs toicard her with outstretched arms — Gretchen 
siritcJics her ivhip in his face — he recoils) 

Gret. Keep back, sauciness — I am now Rudolph, the page of a good 
friend of yours. 

Edw. Of ours ? 

Gret. I mean of your master. But what's this castle ? 

Edw. The Castle Triefels. 

Gret. And is the King confined here ? 

Edw. Yes indeed — and Sir Walter de I'Estaing with him. And we 
two — though they let us roam about the grounds, which is more than the 
King or Sir Walter can do. 

GueT. And which is the King's room? 

Edw. Nay, they have never let us know. 

Gret. Wilt thou seethe King to-day? 

Edw. They have taken him off somewhere — but he will be brought 
back soon . 

Gret. And wilt thou see him ? 

Edw. Perhaps yes, perhaps no — accoi'ding to Duke Leopold's whim. 
Sometimes he permits his attendants to be with him — sometimes not. 

Gret. If thou dost, give him this ring, (hands him ring) and tell him 
help is near — let him keep well on the watch, for friends are near. O if 
1 can help to free him she will — {Slops ahraptlg) 

Edw. But whom dost thou serve in thy boy's dress? 

Gret. Can I depend on thee ! 

Edw. On me ? Well now I 

RoG. I answer for him. 

Gret. Then I serve the minstre! Blondel, and a powei-ful friend of 
bis. 

Edv\'. I do not know that I liKe that. 

Gret. And what business is that of thine ? 

Edw. It touches me in a serious place — the heart — But wilt thou not 
kiss me in memory of old days? A brotherly kiss, at least. 

Gret. No indeed ! I know you for an impudent knave — so don't 
< erne near me. [He approaches Iter) What — you will ? — then take that — 

She cuts him tcith her whip and exits, running r. 

Edw. {Rubbing his check) the vixen ! But this is a curious affair — 
what dost thou think of it, Roe;er? 



TENT AND THRONE. 32 

RoG. The girl is honest. 

Edw. She handles a very honest whip, (Looks l.) Ah! the King is 
coming — and, look Roger — there is Sir Baldwin de Bethune, our old 
commander. 

Unter L., Richard escorted by a troop of Austrian soldiers — his hands 
chained — Sir Baldwin de Bethune and Sir Walter de l'Estaing, 
folloio — The soldiers range themselves by the door ofthccastle — Richard 
Sir Baldwin and Sir Walter o. f., Edward a7id Roger r. 

Rich. Nay, nay, Sir Baldwin, let bygones be bygones — 
He held me as a prisoner of war, 
The ransom's paid, and there's an end of it. 

Sir Bald. An end of it ? 

Rich. Yes, sir, on Richard's faith. 

I am so glad to get my freedom back 
'■- That I may well foi-give this rancorous duke. 

8iK Bald. But I, sire, cannot quite so soon forgive. 

Sir Wal. Nor I. 

Rich. Pshaw ! pshaw ! I can but think I'm free. 
Within these walls I've lived a long long year. 
As lono- as all the balance of my life ; 
How I have yearned for freedom . 

I have watched 
The great hawks whirling downward from the rocks 
To snatch the little finches — I have seen. 
When Winter spread his snows beneath the moon, 
v^ Lean wolves slip down the hills toward the sheep — 
All from my narrow window have I seen — 
And gladly would have given crown and throne 
For the wild liberty of hawk or wolf. 
And now that I am free, I promise you 
Some of the old-time roughness shall be gone. 
Imprisonment's a rare good school for Kings. 
But what news of the queen. Sir Baldwin ? 

Sir Bald. Ah ! 

Dear sire, to cloud your gladness so — 

Rich. What's that? 

Is she not well ? 

Sir Bald. She started, sire, for England 
Some seven months ago — and it is feared 
That Saladin o'ertook her. 

Rich. It is feared ? 

Do you not know ? 

Sir Bald. There is no news of her. 

Rich. No news of her ? But Saladin? — Ah no ! 
The Sultan is an honorable man. 
There must be some mistake — 

Sir Bald. He makes pretepce 

Of knowing nothing of her. 



TENT AND THRONE. 33 

Rich. By the saints ! 

If he has done her harm he soon shall learn 
That Richard's free ! 

Sir Bald. Ah, sire — still more bad news — 

To speak blunt truth your brother John is thought 
To be a traitor — 

Rich. John— my brother? — 

Sir Bald. Yes— 

I fear if we delay that you will find 
No throne to sit on, and a welcome worse 
Than Leopold's. 

Entpv Leopold l. Richard streichea out his chained hands. 

Rich. Strike off your chains, my lord, 

I must leave here to-morrow. 

Leo. What — so soon ? 

Rich. I' faith, my stay has been somewhat prolonged — 
I have bad news from England. 

Leo. Ah ! 

Rich. The Queen— 

My throne — are both in danger — I must start 
At once . , 

Leo. Leave us alone, sirs — we have yet 
Some further business. 

The soldiers divide into tioo ranks — Sir Baldwin aiid Sir Walter enter the 
castle folloived by Edward and Roger — The soldiers then march in, 
closing doors behind them. — It groios dark. 

Leo. So, sire, you are free ! 

Rich. At last! 

Leo. The ransom's paid. 

Rich. In full. 

Leo. And I 

Commanded by the council to release you. 

Rich. Indeed you state it plainly. 

Leo. Do you know 

The wrongs that you have done me? 

Rich. Do you know 

The foul wrong you have done me ? 

Leo. Not one tithe , 

Of the deep injuries that I have suffered 
From you — for I shall feel them all my life. 

Rich. I do not understand you. 

Leo. There you lie ! 

Rich. By heaven! 'tis well for you my hands are bound. 

Leo. Be that as it may, you lie — you know full well 
I loved my cousin Berengaria. 

Rich. Enough of this, enough ! 

Leo. I love her still, 

I love her — so madly that my lips 
Grow white to speak her name. 



TEXT AND THRONE. 34 

, Rich. Enough, my lord, 

Since you have <l.ared to cross her name with yours 
I'll waive my rank and meet thee knight to knight— 
T have the right to wear a sword again. 
Thank God ! 

Leo. Ah yes .'--you're free— I did forget— 
You will rejoin her— ah ! the bliss — the bliss— 
Of that sweet meeting. Do you dream of it ? 
• Do you not picture her all smiles, all love, 
Her lips athirst for kisses ? 

Rich. You are mad— 

Remember whom you talk to. 

Leo. Yes — yes — yes — 

I know you Richard— you are he who flung 
His glove in my face at Acre— you are he— 

Rich. And he who tore your foul arms from the queen 
At the same place — I did a grievous wrong 
In that I did not kill you for a coward ! 
Leo. Tajxe care ! take care ! 

Rich. Your day is over, sir. 

You've had me at your mercy for a year, 

And wreaked your petty spite on me. ^ 

. Leo. _ Spite— spite ?— 

Do you call such a just revenge but spite ? 

Rich. To you I owe the mean, ignoble cell. 
The scanty fare, the pallet and the chains — 
The iine-spun misery of little things 
That vex us often worse than greater ones — 
To you I owe all this, and but just now 
So glad was I with freedom, that I half 
Forgave you. 
Leo. Talk not of forgiveness, sire. 

Rich. I will no longer do so, niy lord duke — "• 

Look to yourself — I owe you a heavy score, 
You may rely on payment. ^ 

Leo. I will take 

Ample precaiition. 

Rich. Such formalities 

As may be needed now for my release, 
I pray you hasten. 

Leo. Your release ! Ah — yes ! ( Changes attitude sudlenly) 

Do we let wolves go when we have them fast ? 
Do we set tigers free ? 

Rich. My ransom's paid 

No more of this ! 

Leo. No more of this indeed 1 

I have you fast and will not let you go . 
Rich. What? Treachery?— 
Leo. All's fair in love or war. 

Rich. The council has commanded you — 
Leo. a fig 

For such a council ! 



TEXT AND THRONE. 1)0 

Rich. Traitor I {Calls loudli/) 

Sir Baldwin! Walter! 

Enter from castle doors Sir Baldwin, and Sir y^ xvyj^vl, followed by Edward 
and Roger, and the Austrian soldiers, irho stand in ranks before the 
castle. 

Run to the council — see the Emperor — quick ! 
This man would hold me yet despite the ransom. 

At a ji(/n/ro)n Leopold, the soldiers surround Sir Baldwin Sir Walter, 
Edward atid Roger. 

Leo. Escort these gentlemen beyond the town 
Until they cross the limits of the dvxchy, 

Sir Bald. In the name of England I protest. 

Sir Wal. And I. 

Leo. In the name of the devil get you hence — xlway ! 

Exeunt Sir Baldwin, Sir Walter, Edward and Roger, surrounded by 
soldiers L, Another troop of soldiers comes out of the castle and stands 
in ranks before it. 

Now sire, we'll change your room, I have a fancy 
To lodge you in the tower. 

Rich. treachery ! 

As damned as .Judas ! Ah ! to live again 
The long black days of prison — to behold 
The gay world through my bars — the free glad waves — 
The river foaming merrily in the sun, 
The grasses nodding blithely in the breeze, 
All free but me — 

Leo. Your room is ready, sire. 

Richard kneels. 

Rich. See, Leopold, I will forget all pride 
And beg for freedom — give it me, and I 
Will blot the past all out — and make you lord 
Offnyof my duchies you may wish. 

Leo Thy duchies ? Thy domain is narrowed down 
To yonder room. 

Rich. (Jumps to his feet) I must be free — my wife ! 
God ! my wife ! They say that Saladin 
Has seized her — Set me free to get her back. 
And on my knightly honor I'll return. 

Leo. I wish the Sultan joy of his sweet prize. 
I' faith I envy him (Brutally) Come ! to your room ! 
It groweth late . 

The soldiers open ranks — Richard totters up the steps — then suddenly faces 
Leopold and holding up his hands, light chains hanging from them, he 
curses him . 



TEXT AND Tiir.vONi:. oG 

Rich. Accursed be thy soul ! 

Thy traitor's soul I May God send fieuds from hell 
To torture thee as I ara tortured now ! {Voirp drop.s) 

! I shall wear my brain out with much grief. 
Leo. Escort King Uichard to the tower-chamber. 
Rich. infamy I 

Richard c/ifcr.-i the castle — -followed by the noldirrs. Faint inoonligld. 

Leo. How hard he takes the shock. 

These men of muscle often break the first. 
The sorry fool to think I'd let him go. 
He measured ill the strength of jealousy — 

1 would not let him slip for twenty ransoms- 
Nay, she shall never fondle him again, 

Nor sing him pretty songs. 

Enter R. Berengaria in the long frock and hood of a palmer — a rosary 
hung at her neck — a staff in her hand. 

Hallo! who's there? 

Ber. a palmer, sir, from Palestine. 

Leo. Ah ha ! 

What news ? 

Ber. To whom, sir, do I speak ? 

Leo. I am 

Duke Leopold of Austria. 

Ber. (Startled) Leopold ! 

Leo. Yes, Leopold — but do not be afraid 
Good palmer, I'll not eat thee. 

Ber. Truly, sir, 

I am not used to talking with the great, 

Leo. Well clear thy throat and speak out like a man, 
A great man's ears can listen just as well 
As any ass's — Come sir, what's the news ? 

Ber. King Richard" s truce is still kept holily, 
There's been no fighting since he left. 

Leo. So, so ! 

The Queen is yet at Acre, I suppose ? 

Ber. Nay, sir, the poor queen left some time ago, 
'Twas said to join her husband, and 'tis feared 
That Saladin hath made her prisoner. 

Leo. That's no news here — (Goes up steps) 

Ber. My lord I humbly crave 

A lodging for the night. 

Leo. That thou' It not get — 

I feed no priests . ( Opens door) 

Ber. My lord ! 

Leo. I feed no priests. 

Leopold enters the castle and shuts door after him with a clang. Berenga- 
ria rushes to c. F., kneels — throivs back hood so that audience can clearly 
recognize her. 



TENT AND THRONE. 37 

Ber. Richard ! Richard ! I have come at last, 
O'er Syrian sands, across the foaming sea, 
Through woods and wilds and wicked towns of men, 
Here have I come to find thee, my King ! 
My husband ! Now though walls and bars be fast 
Between us — never fear we'll find a way 
To meet, for love is stronger far than stone, 
And knows not iron from a wisp of straw. (Rises) 
'Tis night and all is quiet. 

Runs to edge of bank, leans over and calls 

Blondel ? 
Blon. (From below) Ho ! ^ 

Ber. Come! All is still. 

Enter c, Blondel and Gretohen up the bank. 

My girl, this is the tower ? 
Gret. rt is, your grace ! The Castle of Triefels. 
Blon. {To Gretckm) Stay thou and watch the boat. 

Gretchen disappears down bank. BERENGARtA and Blondel come f. 

Ber. Just now I saw 

Duke Leopold. 

Blon. He did not know you? 

Ber. No. 

I asked for a night's lodging — 

Blon. Ah, your grace ! — 

Ber. Which he refused — had he but let me in 
I would have found my Richard quick enough . 
But now these walls, these scores of windows — all 
In darkness, scarcely lighted by the moon — 
How can we find him? 

Blon. There's one way, your grace, 

Will never fail us if the King be near. 

Ber. And that? 

Blon. I'll sing the song he loved to hear, 

The one we sang to you that happy day 
You lauded at Messina. 

Ber. Ah ! 'tis true, 

If he be near he'll hear it. (Boor of castle creaks) 

Blon. Hist ! 

Berengaria and Blondel crouch in the shadow of the tower. Leopold 
comes out of castle and stands on steps. 

Leo. Ho there ! 

Enter l., on the terrace half-way up castle^ the watchman^ a flaming torch in 

his hand. 



TEXT AND THRONE. 38 

Watchman. Your grace? 

Leo. AVhat noise is that ? 

Watchman. What noise, your grace ? 

Leo. I fancied I heard voices. 

Watchman. Nay, your grace, 

It must have been the river 

Leo. Look along 

The ramparts . 

Watchman. Yes, your grace. 

Watchman u-afks about terrace waving torch. 

There's no one here. 
Leo. Keep a sharp watch to-night — 'tis possible 
Sir Baldwin might escape. 

Watchman. Ay I ay ! your grace. 

Leopold goes in castle — doors close after him. 

The devil take him for a sleepless loon, 
Good honest men can't, keep awake o' nights. 
Heigla-ho I 

Watchjian walks alonij trrra.ce, 9(>^n.9 around the tower where he disappears. 

Beu. Now Blondel, he has passed. heaven I 

Let this sweet minstrel's voice reach Richard's ears. 

Berexgaria knef'ls c. f. Blondel .v/a«f/,? under the tower and sings. 

Blon. When the west wind blows, 

And the red, red rose 

Loseth her petals one by one — 
And the wan stream flows 
Where no flower grows. 

Far from the moonlight and the sun 

lie stops — thei/ listen. 

Ber. No, all is quiet. pity. Heaven ! pity ! 
Blon- (Sings) Then I kiss my love. 
And her silken glove 

Fix in my helm and ride away— - 
And the brooding dove, 
Cooeth soft above — 
Thrilling with grief the distance gray. 

Theg listen — all is silent 

Ber. All quiet ! river cease thy brawling noise — 
Die down, wind ! that I may hear my love — 
For surely he will answer. 

Richard's voice is heard, verg faint, as if far away. 



TEXT AND THRONE. ;]9 

RioH. {Si»(/.s) But the skies will change, 
And the level range 

Buries not always sun and moon-- 
In my lady's grange 
I shall ne'er be strange — 

Watching she waits from night to noon. 

Ber. (As in an ecstac// n'peatti) 
" Watching she waits from night to noon." 
'Tis he — 'tis he — quick, Blondel — not a word 
Of me . 

Blo^. [Calk) Who's there? 

Rich. {From ahooe, voir." faint) I, Ricliard ! Tliou must be 
My Blondel. 

Blon. Yes, sire, it is I. 

Rich Old friend! 

t kiiew thy voice — what art thou doing here ? 

Blon. We come here to release thee. 

Rich. But, dear friend, 

Though they have taken off my'tehains, I am 
Unarmed behind thick iron. 

Blon. We have arms 

That thou art wont to use. 

Rich. What arms? 

Blon. Thy good 

Two-handed sword. 

Berenc^ria fakr.1 fir i-himh'd siirnrd from nndcr lirr frock and givi'H it to 

Blondel. 

Rich. Nay give me that and I 

Will hew through stone and iron as through sponge. 

Blon. Then up I come, sire — tie thy handkerchief 
Outside thy window, that I may plainly see. 

'Richard tif'.s hund/cerchief outside hir/hest window. The ray of the moon 
falls directly on it. Blondel ties thr two-handed sword to his neck 
and hey ins climhin;/. 

Rich. Careful now, Blondel, careful ! all my life 
Hangs on thy feet — see that they stick on well. 

Ber. Guard him, saints ! Hist ! here's the watchman. 

Blondel has reached the terrace — he crouches in the shadow of the tower. 
Enter Watchman L., on thetei^race^ vnth torch. 

Watchman. The devil take the duke, I say. 

Rich. Amen ! 

Watchman. A father of a family to spend 
His nights in trotting round a mouldy wall 
That even the bats fight shy of. By the Mass ! 
I yawn until I swallow all the fog 
The river breeds. 



TENT AND THRONE. 4(j 

Watchman .^o^.v round the tower and disappears. 

Ber. He's passed. 

BlON. {Climhs rapidly — arrives at windon-) And here I am. 

Blondel passes the sword through the bars of the window to Richard. 

Rich. My sword ! All, Blondel, thou hast brought me life ! 
Now get thee down for it will soon rain iron. 

Blondel rapidly descends. Richard hews the bars with his sword, sinyiny 
the last verse ofsony. Throws down a bar that strikes the y round with a 
heav]i thud. 

There's one bar^-catch it for a weapon, Blondel. 
And there's another. {Throws another dow/i.) 

Give it to thy friend, 
The grey-frock that I see below. 

Ber. {Catching Blondel's arm) No! No! 
Not one word, Blondel — if we get him safe 
To England he shall know me — not till then — 
He shall not be impeded with his wife ; 
Why he would stop to fight for me, perchance, 
And let himself be taken again — No — no ! 

Rich. Now I am coming, Blondel. 

Richard begins descent. 

Blon. Back, sire, back ! 

The watchman's here again. 

Rich. I am not used 

To turning back. 

Richard reaches terrace. Enter Watchman l . , on terrace — he iralks along 
to where Richard stands^ and meets him face to face. 

Hallo ! my friend ! 
Watchman. {Amazed) Hallo ? 

Good Lord ! King Richard ! 

He is paralyzed with terror. Richard laughingly points sword at his keart 
three tim'is, making cabalistic signs. Resumes his descent. 

Rich. Stay just where thou art. 

I throw swords upward with s^ marvellous skill. 

Watchman stands transfixed toith terror. Richard finishes descent and 
jumps to the ground. 

Ah Blondel ! free at last ! {Points to Beeengaria) 
And who is this ? 
Blon. A palmer, sire, who's done as much as I 
And more, to save you. 



TENT AND THRONE. 41 

Rich. Palmer, when thou wilt, 

Ask aught of me thou wishest — it is thine. 
Blon. Now, sire, to the boat ! 

Enter Gretohen o., up bank — .^he runs to meet t-heiii. 

GreT. Ah sire ! you surely know me '{ 

Rich. My little maid of the inn ! 

\N XTcnuK^ rmhes qtfL., shoutin.f/ help! help! 

Ah ha ! too late — this time the Duke is foiled ! 

All descend the bank. Leopold rushes out of the castle follou-ed by 
soldiers roith torches. Richard calls from below. 

Farewell, my lord — Farewell ! A pleasant night I 

Leopold runs to bank. Quick music — air of "0 Richard! mon Roi!'^ 

CURTAIN. 

Note.— Action must be very rapid at close. 



ACT V. 



HOME FROM THE WARS ! 

.--.^ / 

SCENE. — A room of state in the Tower of London, c, Tull arched win- 
dow opening on to practicable balcony, r., Dais with throne on it. 
L., Large arched doorway with double doors. Walls hung ivith tapestry. 

TlWE,.~Mnrning. 

Discovered. — Leopold, dressed as if just from a Journey. He has a 
gloomy., reckless air. 

Leo. No news of him — no news ! his foggy isle 
Is quiet enough. 

Rnfer a Srrvant l 

Servant. {Announces) His Highness the Prince John ! 

Enter John, l. Exit Servant l, 

Leo. Your grace ! 

John. Ah, cousin ! you are doubly welcome . 

I thought to hear from you, but this indeed 
Is very kind, 

Leo. (Abruptly) The devil is loose again ! 

John. What do you say ? 

Leo. The devil is loose again ! 

I say — Beware ! 

John. (Amazed) I do not understand. 

Leo. Then in plain words — your brother Richard's free! 

John. (Li a bewildered manner) 
Free ?— Richard ?— 

Leo. Yes ! 

John. (Passionately) Ah ! you have played me false, 

My money's wasted — 

Leo. Not so fast, your grace, 

I have not played you false — 

John. (Angrily) But h^ is free! 

He suddenly comes to himself, and assumes a pleasant manner 

There, cousin, pardon me — my wits are wild — 
I do forget — the ransom is accepted — 
Yes — yes the King — 



TEXT AXD THiiUNE. 43 

Leo. (Brutalh/) No smooth-tongued l^'ing now, 
There is no time for diplomatic grease — 
Let us talk plainly. 

John. {Moor/ih/) Well 1 

Leo. I did mj' part 

Not for the money that you sent me, thougli. 
But for my own revenge. 

John. I thought as much. 

Leo. The evening that the ransom was accepted 
I shut him up again in Triefels — then 
1 sent away de Bethune and de I'Estaing 
And the two men he kept with him — My Ood ! 
1 should have killed him then — I was a fool I 

John. You would not kill him? 

Leo. (Fi'-rrrh/) As gladly as you would. 

( . I iiiDiiicnt of .silciivr . ) 

1 had arranged to take him the next day 
To an old keep of mine where he could rot^ 
For years and no one know it. That same night 
The minstrel Blondel — may the devil seize him— 
Sang under Richard's Avindow — Kichai'd heard, 
And answered. Then, bj^ climbing like a eat, 
Blondel got up to where he was, and brought 
His great two-handed sword to him — you know 
The devil's strength — he hewed the window out — 
i need not tell the rest. 

John. Was Blondel alone? 

Leo. a palmer from the Holy Land was with him. 

John. Then Kichard may be even now in England . 

Leo. Perhaps. But I set out at utmost speed 
And scoured the country round with no success; 
Then I came here post-haste — I think I must 
Have distanced him. 

John. I have no news of him. 

Leo. Well ! Are you still resolved to seize the crown ? 

John. But how ? 

Leo. By killing Richard. 

John. (Shuddering.) No, no, no ! 

Leo. You could condemn him to a living death. 
But cannot strike the one decisive blow — 
Pshaw ! Coward ! — 

John. Had another month gone by 

He would have come in vain; for all grew ripe 
To oust him from the throne, and seat me there. 
The barons are aweary of a king 
Who spends and fights and spends the whole year long. 

Leo. You have a better chance than ever now. 
For no one knows of his escape — set watch 
Upon the coast, and when his ship makes port 



TEXT AND THRONE. 44 

Let nil on boai-d of her be killcl — give out 
That they are Danish pirates — anything — 
No one can question you; and I will swear 
That Richard still lies in my castle. 

John. {AiwkUng Leopold's sdaiJi/ qdzc) Well, 
I'll think about it. 

Leo. There's no time to think I 

.John iraJkn up and dov-ti iwrvouxJi/ chixpini/ hta Imnds. 

Give me command of fifty trusty men, 
I'll answer for the rest. 

John. He may have landed — 

Leo. Then there's no harm done — hut jfoar throuf is lost. 

John. And how can I rely on you ? 

Leo. ' On me? — 

Do you suppose I fight for love of you ? 
Or that I care one farthing for your thi'one ? 
Lose it or keep it — 'tis all one to me. 
I seek revenge ! The man who stole my bride — 
Who flung his cursed glove at me at Acre — 
Who before all the woi'ld dishonored me — 
Who slipped from out my claws — this man — this fiend — 
Shall never gain his throne if I can help it . 
I shall be fully satisfied with Jiim; 
You can take all the booty. 

John. {After a mojuent) Well — so be it ! 
You shall set out this evening — fifty men, 
That you can trust to death, shall go with you. 

h'nfer Skrvant l. 

Servant. {Announces) Sir Baldwin de Bethune and Sir Walter de 
I'Estaing crave audience of the Prince .John. 
John. Bring them here. 

Exit Servant l. 

Leo. They here already ? Then we must be quick. 

John goes r., holds up tapestrg. 

John. Get you behind the arras, Leopold. 

Leo. It is resolved ? 

John. Assuredly resolved ! 

Leopold hides himself behind tapestrg R. Unter Sir Baldwin, Sir Walter, 
Edward and Roger. Edward anc? Roger retire to loindoiv. John r , 
Sir Baldwin and Sir Walter o. f. 

John. Welcome from Austria, my lords 
SiK Bald. Your grace, 

We bring sad news . 



TENT AND THRONE. 45 

John. Sad news, sir? That is strange. 

Do they refuse the ransom ? 

Sir Bald. Nay, your grace, 

The ransom was accepted in full council. 
But Leopold of Austria is a traitor — 
He'll not release the King. 
John. Impossible I 

Sir Wal. Nothing's impossible with liim, your grace, 
He is a shame to Knighthood. 
John. Then the King 

Is still in prison ? 

Sir Bald. Yes — without a friend. 

John. Poor Richard — how I pity him. 
Sir Bald. But pity 

Will not set Richard free — and, look you, prince, 
I am a rough, plain man — the story runs 
That you would like to sit on Richard's throne; 
Now be not lukewarm or you give it credit. 
Remember you are brothers of one blood — 
Remember you are called Plantaganet — 
And raise an army that shall show the duke 
How men of Norman race avenge their wrongs. 

John. Baldwin you do me wrong — I need no spur 
To prick me on to set my brother free. 
I will convoke the barons. 

Sir Bald. Saints and fiends ! 

There is no time to lose. Convoke the barons ? 
Nay, send your bellmen crying through the streets 
"Richard is held by treachery ! " Let the fires 
Flame from the clitFs. The people will arise 
To free their Richard. 

A far-ofl' murmur as of man.}/ people^ heard . 

Hark ! those distant shouts 
Are as a litile rill to the great sea 
Beside the roars of rage that will resound 
When England knows the King's captivity. 

Sir Wal. Most true, your grace, for everywhere we passed 
Men, women, children, thronged about us — wild 
For news of Richard. 

John. Sirs, it shall be done — 

An army shall be ready in a week; 
We'll teach the Austrians a lesson. 

Sir Bald. Ah ! 

There spake Plantaganet, 

Noiae outside grows a little louder. 

John. What is that noise ? 

It does not stop. 



TENT AND THRONE. 46 

Enter a Messenger l. He is hredthlesH. 

Messenger. (Pantin(/)Y ouv grace — your erace — 
John. VVell — well— 

Messenger. There's some rebellion in the town — the streets 
Grow thick with men. 

Enter another Messen'GER l. 

Second Mess. Your grace- -the chancellor 

Sends for you — there is trouble, 

John. Well — what is it ? 

Second Mess. We know not — but the town is full of men. 

John. Go — I will follow you — 

Exeunt the tiro Messengers l. 

And — gentlemen — 
Await me in the tower. 

Exit John l Noise continues. 

8iR Bald. By the Mass ! 

I fired his sluggish blood. Who would imagine 
Richard and he are brothers ? 

Sir Wal. 1 am not 

So sure of his sincerity, 

Sir Bald. He must 

Keep faith — for we have news to fire the land. 
But how this noise continues. 

Edw. {Eromby irindoir) Hark! — 

Blondel is heard singing beloiv the uiridow the last verse of song in Act I. 
Sir Baldwin runs to windoio a7id steps nut on balcony. 

Sir Bald, Blondel ! 

Blondel. {From beloiv) Sir Baldwin ! Are you there alone ? 

Sir Bald. Yes — with de I'Estaing. 

Blondel, I've a note for you . 

My page will bring it — I have other work — 
Adieu ! 

Enter Gretchen, by balcony, in page' s dress as in Act IV. 

GreT. Sir Baldwin ! 

Edw, Gretchen ! by the Cross ! 

Gretchen salutes Edward and Roger coquettishly . 

Sir Bald. {Reads note) " I have escaped from Leopold by the help 
of my good Blondel — I have arrived safely in England — I am about to 
enter London publicly — Hold the tower open at any cost. There are 
strange rumors of treason . — Richard . ' ' 
The King is here I 



TEXT AND THRONE. 47 



Sir Wal. Long live the King .' 

Edw. Hiizz.i: 

Sir Bald. {To Edward and Roger) 
My men, stay here — if any one attempts 
To shut the doors — sound the alarm I Coi 



'ome, Walter I 
Exeunt Sir Baldwin <iiiii Sir Walter ],. 

Edw. (7v) Gretchenj So, so, my pretty dear— thou still travellest 
with Blondel. Does he treat ihee well? (All come f. ) 

CtRET. Nay, 1 serve the grey-frock palmer who goes with him. 

Edw. a palmer 1 That is worse still. These holy men are marvel- 
lous fellows tor a pasty, a tiagon, or a pair of bright eyes. 

Continued noise outside. 

GreT. If thou knewest my palmer thou wouldst keep a civil tongue 
about him. 

Edw. Is he a jewel of a palmer? Does he kneel religiously at his 
devotions ? 

Gret. He is true to his duty, that's very sure. 

Edw. Ami is the King close at hand ? 

Gret. Within a tew minutes of the Tower. And the people gather 
round him, weeping and sobbing, and shouting and laughing as if all 
their wits had gone crusailing. 

Edw. 'Tis ever so with Richard. The more he fights the more we 
love him — The more he spends the more we give him— and all is very 
right and proper for so must governments go. But thou art wonderfully 
bewitching in thv page's dress — and as there is no time to lose I will 
tell thee on wh-it I have long pondered. 

Assumes orutorical attitude. 

Gretchen, I am sick of crusading — I must become a man of peace — ^a 
tamed lion — Blood disgusts me — I am aweary of battles. 

Gret. Ah ha I Thou fearest King Richard will set out again, 

Edw. Of course, he must seek his wife. 

(xRET. and he mopes so for her. 

Edw. So would any decent man. Had 1 a wife and somebody ran off 
with her — I'd mope and mope till — 

ROG. The first tavern you came to set out its bottle. 

Edw. Old slanderer I Wilt thou never open thy mouth but to snarl and 
bite ? 

GRet. When friends fall out it is time for me to go. 

Edw. Nay but listen, Gi-etchen — pretty Gretchen — I, Edward, soldier 
in the service of Richard 'Coeur-de-Lion — Crusader from the walls of 
Acre--a valiant and trustworthy man, though without money or pos- 
sessions, do here ofl^"er thee my heart and hand — the first for life and love 
— the second for law and labor. Wilt thou take me, iciiifi-uilli/, nolens- 
rrdens — Ahem I 



TENT AMD THRONE. 48 

RorxER .siiddenlij iDterpoacs . 

ROG. Girl, I am a man of few words. I cannot babble, but 1 can work 
and be foithful as a dog. I have seen thee and weighed thy qualities. I 
have a farm in Kent and a thousand marks of booty. Wilt thou marry 
me ? 

Edw. Old dog-in-the-manger ! Did any one dream thou hadst a heart ? 
1 1 am lost ! What are love and poetry beside marks and fiirms ! 

GkpjT. {Coquettishly) But why must I marry ? 

Edw. Marry ? A girl must marry as a horse must wear a halter, a 
rabbit be roasted, or a thief dangle from the gallows. It is the fashion, 
dear, the fashion ! 

Gret. Thou art as saucy a knave as I ever met, and yet I cannot help 
liking thee. ( To Roger) 1 know thee, friend, for a true man and a good 
one ; but alas ! alas ! 'tis not alone such qualities that win us poor girls. 
We must fain shut our eyes and our senses and run off with the scape- 
graces. So — 

Edw. Then thou art mine? 

Gret. Not yet — but — perhaps. 

Edward dances unth joy and embracer Gret(?hen. 

Edw^ But, Roger, there's no ill-feeling between us? 
KoG. I am no fool. 

The noiae is at its height. Shouts heard under the window. Flags move by 
it^ as if carried in a procession from r. to l. 

Edw But see the banners of the barons ! [Runs out on balcony) He 
is coming I King Richard is here I Ah ! how grand he looks on his great 
black horse, with his two-handed sword over the saddle. Blondel is 
with him. He is off his horse. He is coming ! — Come ! quick! quick I 

Exeunt^ running, Edward, Roger and Gretchen l. Noise ceases — it is 
very quiet. Leopold emerges from behind the arras — goes to balcony — 
looks out — comes down c. F. 

Leo. Yes, \ie is here I There is but one way left . 

Draws a dagger 

If I can get behind him — am I mad ? 

Were it not best to fly ? But no ! — no ! — no ! — 

He shall not thwart me — he has always won, 

'Tis time that Fate changed front. {Mores toward r.) 

Come, Richard, come I 

][c goes again behind tapestry R. The great doors L. swing open. Enter 
Richard, Blondel, Berengaria [as the palmer) Sir Baldwin, Sir 
Walter, Prince John, Edward, Roger, Gretchen and a crowd of 
noblemen. Richard c. f. 

Rich. There, there, my friends — you stifle me. 



TENT AND TRKONE, 4y 

Blon. Ah. sire, 

There is not such a gulf 'twixt love and hate 
As people thick. 

Rich. Good friends, go to your homes ! 

I have returned — alas ! I come alone . 
Prepare for wars — for we must win our queen 
Though all the world make head against our pikes. 

John. Sire — 

Rich. And I come to find rank treason — yes ! 

In my own blood — 

John. Ah brother ! — 

Rich. I have heard 

All — of your bribe to Leopold — your plot. 
Against my throne — Ah shame on you — shame ! shame I 

John. Brother I swear 'tis false — I sent no bribe 
To Leopold — I sent your ransom — Yes, 
And added largely from my private funds. 
As for your throne — God knows I wish it not. 

Rich. Call not on God — He hath sent lightnings dowu 
To crush the liar. Kneel and beg for grace. 

John. But brother 1 will give you proof. This day 
Leopold came from Austria — 

Rich. {Sff/rdcd) Leopold ! 

John. Here'in the Tower he told me of your flight, 
Urged me to seize your person — yea ! he swore 
To watch for you himself, if I would give 
A half a hundred men to him. 

RiOH. And you ! 

John. I feigned assent, because I knew your coming, 
kSo that I could deliver him to you. 
Had I been treasonable, would I not 
Have given him all he asked, so that he might 
Do all I wished without my help ? 

Rich. (/S7^'/7?///) The proof! 

John. You ask for proof ? (//" nmx to arras and tears it asid;-, ^//.s-- 
closing Leopold) Behold ! 

Leopold rushes on Richard with drawn dagger. Berengaria precipitates 
herself between them, holding up the cress. L-eopold taken aback, stops 
short. The nobles .<iurroiind him and disarm him. 

Gret. Is not my palmer nimble? 
Edw. • As a cat 

Who runs to help her kittens . 

RicMAUi) ascends the thro7ie . Leopold ?> wao?*? to stand facing him. Sir 
Baldwin, Sir Walter and others guarding him. Berengaria stands 
P.— R. of throne. John l. of throne. 
Rich. ^ Leopold, 

By this last act you forfeit all your rights 

Of rank and Knighthood. What is your defense? 



TENT AND THRONE. 50 

Leo. I have none. 

Rich. Weigh your words — this is a matter 

Of life or death. 

Leo. You cannot frighten me. 

If I have lost the game I pay the forfeit; 
So do your worst. 

Rich. My lords this man is found 

In our own realm, with treasonable intent 
Against our sovereign life. 

Leo. That is the truth. 

I came to kill you — but for that lean palmer 
I should have done so. I make no defense. 
You stole my bride, you stole my honor — then 
I had you fast and you escaped — there was 
But one thing left to do — I tried to do it. 

Rich. {Rises) Then by the authority of prince and earl 
I now degrade you from your state of Knight, 
Your life is forfeited, your blood attainted. 
'All. In the name of the King I 

Rich. Further — by virtue of my royal power 
That gives me jurisdiction over you. 
As you are found in my domain, intent 
On treason — I do sentence you to ileath — 
May God have mercy on your soul. 

Leo " So be it ! 

I ask no mercy. 

Rich. You would ask in vain. 

Ber. (Kneels before Richard) 
►Sire, you have promised me — 

Rich. Aught you may ask . 

Palmer, 1 owe you now a double debt, 
To freedom you add life. 

Ber. Then, sire, I ask 

The gift of this man's life. 

Rich. No, no 1 not that I 

Ber. Your promise, sire ! 

Rich. My lords must it be kept ? 

John. I do not think that it can cover treason, 

Ber. Sire, 'tis your plighted word — I ask asrain 
For this man's life. 

Leo. Who art thou, palmer? 

Ber, One 

Who feels no love for you, but pities you. 

Rich. The King must keep his word. The man is free. 

All fall back from Leopold. Berengaria remains kneeling as if in prayer. 

My lords we must at once sail for the East, 
My queen is there— Saladin holds her— Ah ! 
War ! War ! We must to war ! ( To Berengaria) 



TENT AND THRONE. i)i 

But <as for you 
I never wish to see your face again — 
Go, palmer, learn to hide yourself — your sight 
Is odious to me. 

BkR. [Rises — her f/rei/ frock is loosened) 
sire I say not that ! 
The time is come that I may, throw this frock 
To the four winds, and — 

She throirs off frock and hood, and stands in robes of white silk — her arjiis 

extended. 

Rich. (Running to her) Berengaria I 

They embrace lovingly 

Ber. My Richard I have followed t^ee so close 
And yet thou didst not know me. 

Rich. my love ! 

To owe thee all is sweet indeed. 

Leo. {Dumbfounded icith surprise) She — she — 
She begged my life ? Heaven pity me ! 

Rich. Quick, gentlemen, and spread the news abroad ; 
The palmer who has saved my life is she 
Who holds my heart — Let merry feasts be made 
In every home. {To Leopold) 

And as for thee, get hence ! 
Let no man speak of thy foul shame, for all 

Must now be pardoned — that thy noble house ^ 

Be left unstained and history kept dumb 

Leopold stands looking at Berengaria as if fascinated. — He does not hear 
Richard. Richard again embraces Berengaria. 

Ah, sirs, these tales will die away full soon 
And be mere legends of a fighting age, 
Until some witless rhymer turn them o'er 
To rouse a random laughter for a day. 

All. [Except Leopold) Long live the King! 

Answering shouts from outside — waving of banners at window. Music, 
' ' Richard .' mon Roi ! " 



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